1
2
as in flying
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the employee's story about missing the bus didn't wash with her manager
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in splashing
to flow in a broken irregular stream
soapy water washing down the drain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wetting
to make wet
rain washed the countryside for days on end
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in rinsing
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse
washed the baby's hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in stirring
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly
she absentmindedly washed her tea by tipping her cup, until the honey was at last mixed in
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of washing
To celebrate his 40th birthday on May 13, 2026, read on to hear some of Pattinson's most nonsensical musings, from his hair-washing frequency to childhood hand modeling.
—
Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Balogun had found a lump on the underside of her jaw while washing her face four months previously, and now her career and identity were about to be upended.
—George Ramsay, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Customers should boil water prior to washing their hands or face, brushing their teeth, drinking or cooking.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
South Florida frequently sees sargassum washing ashore on its beaches, but the brown seaweed generally isn't harmful to humans.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Balogun had found a lump on the underside of her jaw while washing her face four months previously, and now her career and identity were about to be upended.
—George Ramsay, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Customers should boil water prior to washing their hands or face, brushing their teeth, drinking or cooking.
—Tanya Babbar, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 May 2026
South Florida frequently sees sargassum washing ashore on its beaches, but the brown seaweed generally isn't harmful to humans.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing
Verb
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The Armorer says that after removing his helmet, he can only be redeemed by bathing in the Living Waters on Mandalore.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
-
That said, bathing regularly with a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser can be helpful.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Other things flying up include flexible repair patches for sealing the space station’s hull, a replacement ultrasonic inspection tool, spare units for the station’s vibration monitoring system and parts to improve water processing and oxygen generation.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
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The pair got the gold-star treatment from some European designers, with Chanel flying them over to attend the fall show and to dine privately with Karl Lagerfeld.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Dining venues center around the village square’s plaza and splashing fountain.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 May 2026
-
Heading into this week, the Green Mile was the toughest-three hole stretch on the PGA Tour, with golfers averaging nearly a shot over par while splashing almost 2,000 balls into the water since 2003.—
Jordan Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Avoid wetting leaves and vines.—
Barbara Gillette,
The Spruce,
12 May 2026
-
To achieve the bright look, Davy used a ColourPop eyeshadow palette, wetting the shadows with some water and using a concealer brush to apply them.—
Hannah Kerns,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Removing fallen leaves and rinsing away dirt prevents excess nutrients from collecting in the water.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
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Start by rinsing the vinyl siding with the garden hose and attached spray nozzle.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring often, until flavors meld and sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 15 to 20 minutes.—
Jasmine Smith,
Southern Living,
9 May 2026
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Spencer Pratt, the former reality TV star turned Los Angeles mayoral hopeful, is coming off a busy week in the headlines thanks to his participation in a debate and his sharing of conversation-stirring videos in support of his candidacy.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Kerr had no head coaching experience, working as an executive with the Phoenix Suns from 2007 through 2010 and then as a TNT television analyst through 2014.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
10 May 2026
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Three decades later, Landon's production company and his wife, Cindy Landon, are working together to create a Highway to Heaven revival for Fox for the 2027-2028 season, per Deadline.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
The fashion is already as glittering as ever, with jury member Demi Moore, along with fellow actors Jane Fonda and Maika Monroe all arriving for opening night dripping in sequins.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
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Eating a cold slice of cantaloupe over a kitchen sink, its juices dripping down your forearms, is one of summer’s greatest pleasures.—
Janet McCracken,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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