as in failing
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1
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful
most of the participants in the tough training program washed out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleaching
to make white or whiter by removing color
the bright lights of the TV studio washed out her facial features, making her look as white as a ghost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wearing
to use up all the physical energy of
that last illness washed the child out completely
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rinsing
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse
wash out your bathing suit in the sink
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of washing-out
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
In 1987, the Guadalupe surged near Comfort, washing out a bus and killing 10 teenagers on board.
—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
The Best Way To Dry A Swimsuit After washing out sunscreen, salt, chlorine, and body soil from your swimsuit (handwashing is best), rinse it thoroughly in cool water.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Tiny water droplets can scatter light, washing out the vivid reds and oranges.
—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
That's it—no waiting and washing out required.
—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Helene caused catastrophic damage across western North Carolina, washing out roads including stretches of Interstate 40 that collapsed into the Pigeon River Gorge, damaging bridges and isolating entire communities.
—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Jan. 2026
Dallas’ defense has been bad on third downs, washing out a resurgent Dak Prescott season (second in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns).
—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
25 Dec. 2025
But his tendency to swing and miss puts him at risk of washing out.
—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
The heavy rain, fueled in part by the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, drenched much of the Southeast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle, causing flash flood emergencies, washing out roads, and prompting emergency rescues.
—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
In 1987, the Guadalupe surged near Comfort, washing out a bus and killing 10 teenagers on board.
—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
The Best Way To Dry A Swimsuit After washing out sunscreen, salt, chlorine, and body soil from your swimsuit (handwashing is best), rinse it thoroughly in cool water.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Tiny water droplets can scatter light, washing out the vivid reds and oranges.
—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
That's it—no waiting and washing out required.
—
Kaitlin Clapinski,
InStyle,
10 Feb. 2026
Helene caused catastrophic damage across western North Carolina, washing out roads including stretches of Interstate 40 that collapsed into the Pigeon River Gorge, damaging bridges and isolating entire communities.
—
Nora O'Neill,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Jan. 2026
Dallas’ defense has been bad on third downs, washing out a resurgent Dak Prescott season (second in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns).
—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
25 Dec. 2025
But his tendency to swing and miss puts him at risk of washing out.
—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
25 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing-out
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.
Verb
-
Everything is collapsing around them, but Richie has a plan.
-
This process is collapsing the filmmaking process into fewer steps, Amazon Web Services’ General Manager of Media and Entertainment Samira Bakhtiar said in an interview.
Verb
-
Nolasco said a taper is the favorite haircut these days and there’s also players bleaching their hair blond for the playoffs.
-
Justine Skye took this mousy brown look to the next level by bleaching her brows to match.
Verb
-
As an adult, Aemond is vicious, tactical and easily identifiable by wearing an eye patch over a blue glass ball where his eye used to be.
-
The offender is described as an African-American man between 40-45 years of age, weighing 180-200 pounds, and was last seen wearing a gray/black baseball cap, a light blue shirt, gray pants, and black gym shoes.
Verb
-
According to the American Cleaning Institute, certain laundry additives function by coating fabric surfaces, meaning that residues may remain even after rinsing.
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If only mild signs are present, Lago recommends rinsing the dog’s mouth with water, either using a hose or a damp cloth.
Adjective
-
Complete your outdoor overhaul with more favorite patio furniture finds below, including a warm wooden deck box that doubles as a bench, a cocoon-like lounger that gently rocks, and a folding Adirondack chair that’s actually comfortable.
-
Their laundry room was filled with bright colors and ample folding space.
Verb
-
Matthews responded by retiring Tommy Edman for the first time in three at-bats and striking out backup catcher Chuckie Robinson.
-
Kirby allowed two runs (one earned) in six innings, allowing eight hits, striking out five and walking two.
Verb
-
Their self-cleaning nature means blooms drop naturally after fading, eliminating tedious deadheading.
-
Halsey and her fans’ outrage over an old album review is showing no signs of fading.
Cite this Entry
“Washing-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing-out. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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