Synonyms of washout

washout 1 of 2

noun

ˈwȯsh-ˌau̇t 

as in disaster

something that has failed

the fashion designer's last showing was a complete washout

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disaster
• failure
• catastrophe
• disappointment
• bust
• loser
• fiasco
• flop
• bomb
• debacle
• mess
• miss
• shipwreck
• dud
• lemon
• fizzle
• clinker
• bummer
• frost
• has-been
• clunker
• turkey
• dog
• also-ran
• shambles
• hash
• botch
• near miss
• nonstarter
• muddle
• nonevent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• success
• hit
• blockbuster
• winner
• smash
• phenomenon
• corker
• crackerjack
• dandy
• jim-dandy

wash out

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to collapse

to be unsuccessful

most of the participants in the tough training program washed out

Synonyms & Similar Words

• collapse
• fail
• flop
• strike out
• fold
• fall short
• miss
• struggle
• fall flat
• lay an egg
• flame out
• come to grief
• come a cropper
• bomb
• tank
• come up empty
• founder
• die on the vine
• flunk
• fall on one's face
• crater
• decline
• crash
• go under
• slip
• skid
• slump
• flounder
• crumble
• wane
• sink
• miscarry
• misfire
• implode
• self-destruct

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• work out
• go over
• go
• succeed
• deliver
• come off
• click
• pan out
• cook
• flourish
• thrive
• prosper
• win
• triumph
• prevail

2

as in to bleach

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

• bleach
• fade
• brighten
• snow
• decolorize
• dull
• pale
• blench
• whiten
• blanch
• dim
• lighten
• silver
• frost
• mat
• etiolate
• whitewash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deepen
• darken
• pattern
• embrown
• marble
• streak
• shade
• spot
• tarnish
• blacken
• pigment
• dye
• paint
• striate
• discolor
• stripe
• polychrome
• speckle
• blotch
• speck
• daub
• stain
• color
• tint
• shine
• polish
• tinge
• fleck
• tincture
• checker
• dapple
• burnish
• variegate
• mottle
• splotch

3

as in to wear

to use up all the physical energy of

that last illness washed the child out completely

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wear
• kill
• tire
• exhaust
• drain
• burn out
• wear out
• knock out
• bust
• weary
• tucker (out)
• wear to a frazzle
• harass
• break
• fatigue
• do in
• outwear
• waste
• fag
• do up
• weaken
• frazzle
• sap
• debilitate
• enfeeble
• enervate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• activate
• strengthen
• energize
• rest
• relax
• rejuvenate
• invigorate
• unwind
• vitalize

4

as in to rinse

to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse

wash out your bathing suit in the sink

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rinse
• wash
• flush
• flood
• irrigate
• sluice
• flow
• engulf
• stream
• inundate
• swamp
• hose
• soak
• rush
• saturate
• gush
• deluge
• drench
• splash
• douche
• slosh
• douse

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of washout

Noun

South Florida’s forecast this week predicted a washout into the weekend. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026

Amy and Rosie are intensely appealing women, yet their lives with men have been a washout. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Verb

That reframing matters because the shades that look promising in the tube often turn gray, chalky or washed out once applied. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

In Sedona, floodwaters trapped several people in their homes, and heavy rain washed out part of a highway. — Christopher Weber, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026