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
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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
Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 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
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
Verb
Andrew Tate is not washing out.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 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
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
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
-
There have been 22 reports of the stools collapsing, with six injuries, including bruising and scrapes.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
-
Cuba’s economy, which has been in a steep decline for several years, has hit rock bottom, and the population has been enduring shortages, blackouts and the effects of collapsing infrastructure.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
She was also reportedly seen bleaching the inside of her car.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Once in a while, black flats compress the space, framing a single character’s face, bathed in a bleaching white light, as if their vulnerabilities were being scanned by an MRI.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On her lunch break, mama walks us over to the library still wearing her scrubs.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Laneda taught Sunday school, and her sons were Cornerstone ushers, wearing white gloves and delivering a welcome address to visitors at the start of Sunday services.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Vulcano About an hour ferry ride from Milazzo, Vulcano lures visitors with its active volcano, Gran Cratere, and open-air mud baths just steps from the port, where bathers slather on the mineral-rich goodness before rinsing in the sea.—
Nicky Swallow,
Travel + Leisure,
17 May 2026
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Not to mention that, in the cabin, the only person doing the dishes and rinsing out everyone’s beer cans for the recycling was the ostensibly famous lead singer—the only woman, natch.—
Dan Kois,
Pitchfork,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Their laundry room was filled with bright colors and ample folding space.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
-
Most folding bookshelves are made from lightweight materials such as wood, bamboo or metal.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meyer gave up just three hits and walked two while striking out six over six shutout innings to continue a stellar start to the season.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
-
Betts collected one hit in his five at-bats Monday, striking out with a runner on third in the third inning to stifle one of the Dodgers’ early chances against Giants starter Trevor McDonald.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
By now, however, that view is fading.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Taj Mahal kept fading and ultimately finished 10th.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washing-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing-out. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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