washing-out 1 of 2

adjective

as in failing

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washing out

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wash out
1
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful most of the participants in the tough training program washed out

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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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3
as in wearing
to use up all the physical energy of that last illness washed the child out completely

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of washing-out
Verb
Then came this spring’s historic and devastating floods across northern Michigan — in some areas, for the first time anyone can remember — swamping homes, pushing dams to the brink of failure and washing out roadways. — Tammy Webber, Fortune, 23 June 2026 Then came this spring's historic and devastating floods across northern Michigan — in some areas, for the first time anyone can remember — swamping homes, pushing dams to the brink of failure and washing out roadways. — CBS News, 22 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing-out
  1. failing
  2. collapsing
  3. bleaching
  4. wearing
  5. rinsing
  6. folding
  7. striking out
  8. fading
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
Definition of failing
Verb
  • Elsewhere along the Black River, campers clung to collapsing structures and trees as floodwaters surged, while search crews continued looking for a woman swept away with her dogs.
    — Hallie Golden, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • At the same time, though, the league is far more reliant on a regional TV model that’s currently in the midst of collapsing.
    — John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of collapsing
Verb
  • Nolasco said a taper is the favorite haircut these days and there’s also players bleaching their hair blond for the playoffs.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
  • Justine Skye took this mousy brown look to the next level by bleaching her brows to match.
    — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 22 May 2026
Definition of bleaching
Verb
  • Doctors Without Borders health workers wearing personal protective equipment move through the isolated red zone to monitor patients, provide medical care and ensure sanitation at the Ebola Treatment Center in Munigi in Congo on June 2, 2026.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Rodríguez Castro can be seen wearing a New York Yankees shirt, moving suggestively to driving percussive beats, punctuated by catchy, syncopated vocals.
    — Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Definition of wearing
Verb
  • Finally, the vinegar water rinse got more of the parasites off the raspberries than rinsing them under plain water.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • Some physicians recommend washing your mouth out after use by gargling and rinsing your mouth with water.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Definition of rinsing
Adjective
  • These are challenges that supposedly don't hit a flat, non-folding display anywhere near as hard.
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Scroll on for more Walmart patio picks, including a folding Adirondack chair under $100, a resort-style pergola, and a classic steel garden bench available in over a dozen colors.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2026
Definition of folding
Verb
  • One thing that could hurt the Giants’ vibe moving forward is the health of outfielder Victor Bericoto, who left the game with an oblique injury after striking out on a foul tip in the fifth inning.
    — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
  • Victor Vodnik replaced Feltner with one out and the bases loaded and retired Eldridge on a lineout before striking out Victor Bericoto, who immediately left the game with an apparent injury.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of striking out
Verb
  • Some hurricane windows can filter out up to 90% of ultraviolet rays, which protects your furniture, carpet, drapes and artwork from fading.
    — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 10 July 2026
  • The pattern is expected to prolong an unrelated existing marine heat wave off the coast of California, which otherwise would have been expected to start fading between October and December.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of fading

Browse Nearby Words

washing one's hands of
washing-out
washing out
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Cite this Entry

“Washing-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing-out. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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