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
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
This October, a full supermoon has graced our skies, washing out the Draconid meteor shower.
—Big Think, 13 Oct. 2025
Brightness is stunning, colors pop naturally, and dark scenes stay detailed without washing out, which proves to be great for movie nights or gaming marathons.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025
On the night of the peak, the moon will be 84% illuminated, washing out most of the shooting stars, according to NASA.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
This October, a full supermoon has graced our skies, washing out the Draconid meteor shower.
—Big Think, 13 Oct. 2025
Brightness is stunning, colors pop naturally, and dark scenes stay detailed without washing out, which proves to be great for movie nights or gaming marathons.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025
On the night of the peak, the moon will be 84% illuminated, washing out most of the shooting stars, according to NASA.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 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.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
A number of buildings were seen collapsing in this wave of strikes on Friday as the death toll continues to rise, an ABC News team in Lebanon observed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
What becomes cheap or free Khosla’s deflationary vision is built on a series of sectors collapsing in cost.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The figure skater actually began bleaching her own hair with a paintbrush—and only brought in a professional right before the 2026 Winter Olympics.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Fierce sunlight bleaching the stones of the old city, blinding the passengers as porters in white kaffiyehs and djellabas stack their portmanteaus on donkey carts.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Jeffrey’s wife, known as Shambles, operates the puppets from behind the curtain, while wearing their 5-year-old daughter, known as Crumbo, in a sling.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Communications student Loane Concy Clementia recently stood outside the Rabanne show at Paris Fashion Week, wearing a black bra, a white lace and satin skirt and a white fur bomber off the shoulder.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Then, give the item a quick wash with a mild dish soap, rinsing again a final time to completely remove any lingering odors or stickiness.—
Jamie Cuccinelli,
Martha Stewart,
4 Mar. 2026
-
For this method, Sokolowski suggests sprinkling baking soda on a damp microfiber cloth, then scrubbing the curtain and rinsing with warm water before hanging to dry.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Malott’s grandfather had always kept a beat-up old oak bi-folding table behind the counter.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Mar. 2026
-
To our eye, the Marco Polo offers a better, higher-spec base van, but the Jules Verne boasts the better camper layout, especially for a family with kids that can fit comfortably on the short folding bed.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The sophomore right-hander went 4⅔ innings Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out four in 84 pitches.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Stone retired the side in order in the first inning, striking out two batters with his changeup.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The clubs, civic organizations and community events that once brought our forefathers together are largely fading away.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Produced by Edko Films and directed by Jack Ng, the film is set in 2012 at a fading hostess nightclub in Tsim Sha Tsui East.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washing-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing-out. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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