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
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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
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
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
This indicated that some fluid was washing out lutetium from rocks on the asteroid.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 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
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
This indicated that some fluid was washing out lutetium from rocks on the asteroid.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 10 Sep. 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
Verb
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Iran claims to have restored order following the nationwide demonstrations that began spreading late last year over the country's collapsing currency and spiraling prices.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The shooting intensifies a person, identified as Husien, emerges from the driver’s seat of the police vehicle and runs a few dozen yards away before collapsing.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some dishwasher tablets include bleaching agents and rinse aids that can keep your clothes from cleaning properly or even stain them.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 Nov. 2025
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More than that, the YouTuber decided to rid her face of eyebrows, bleaching the hairs above her eyes to match the hue of her hair.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Some people even shared old photos of Indigenous peoples wearing the hoods, noting that the originators of the design kept the fur outward to break cold wind and trap snow.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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Chavez posted a photo of Gregory Bovino walking down 33rd Street and Portland Avenue, flanked by three agents wearing masks.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After rinsing it well, place the lid on a burner and heat it for a few minutes on medium-low heat until all moisture is gone.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
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Degrease cabinet tops by dusting first, then using dish soap or vinegar to cut grease before rinsing and drying well.—
Rae Ford,
Martha Stewart,
17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The first few generations of those devices had subpar cameras compared to standard, non-folding phones and a visible crease running down the middle, among other shortcomings.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
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Samsung has equipped the TriFold with 45-watt wired and 15-watt wireless charging, while Vivo’s non-folding X300 Pro, for example, reaches 90 watts wired and 40 watts wirelessly, and has a larger battery to boot.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Earlier this month, McIntyre, who’d been feuding with Fatu prior to Fatu’s TV absence, finally toppled Rhodes after previously failing to do so multiple occasions.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Prior to Gonzales’ trial, Eiglarsh told CNN there was a wide gap between an officer failing to follow proper protocol and acting criminally.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Data Privacy Week is one of those calendar moments that risks fading into the background.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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The oil’s powerhouse formula has a number of benefits, including brightening skin and fading age spots.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Trump has warned against killing protesters and had repeatedly threatened to intervene if Tehran does not change course.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
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Many did not experience concentration camps but were forced to flee villages and towns as Nazi forces advanced, destroying homes and killing millions.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washing-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing-out. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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