as in to bleach
to make white or whiter by removing color
years of sunlight had almost completely whitened the flag
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Recent Examples of whiten
Pairs that make the cut are cleaned from the sole upward, disinfected inside and, in some cases, whitened under UV light before being put back into circulation.
—
ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Use vinegar as a bleach-free alternative to whiten your whites.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Dioxins are a chemical by-product of the bleaching process to whiten cotton, and they are associated with cancer and endocrine disruption.
—Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026
The files include jokey exchanges and emails planning visits to Epstein properties, teeth-whitening appointments and shopping trips.
—Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whiten
ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Use vinegar as a bleach-free alternative to whiten your whites.
—Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2026
Dioxins are a chemical by-product of the bleaching process to whiten cotton, and they are associated with cancer and endocrine disruption.
—Jenni Shearston, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2026
The files include jokey exchanges and emails planning visits to Epstein properties, teeth-whitening appointments and shopping trips.
—Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whiten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiten
Verb
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For instance, exposure to ultraviolet light caused most of the lighter and clear plastics to yellow and the darker ones to bleach.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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Fake plants and outdoor rugs tend to look worn and sun-bleached very quickly.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Between items that are dated and faded, here are a handful of outdoor decor pieces that designers say are always eyesores.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
1 May 2026
-
Public conversation centers on politics, blame, and strategy, while children fade into the background.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
1 May 2026
Verb
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According to a new study that analyzed a combination of satellite images, artificial nighttime lights have brightened Earth by 16% between 2014 and 2022.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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But Greek yogurt, crisp radishes, and fresh lemon juice brighten up the classic.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whiten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiten. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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