as in to bleach
to make white or whiter by removing color
years of sunlight had almost completely whitened the flag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 whiten
This isn’t your average at-home teeth whitening kit.
—
Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2025
They’ve been accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA) as a safe and effective at-home whitening treatment—but their popularity doesn’t end there.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Oxygen bleach soaks—Oxygen bleach (not to be confused with chlorine bleach) is a gentle yet powerful whitening agent.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Sometimes, manufacturers add preservatives or whitening agents.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whiten
Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2025
They’ve been accepted by the American Dental Association (ADA) as a safe and effective at-home whitening treatment—but their popularity doesn’t end there.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 5 Oct. 2025
Oxygen bleach soaks—Oxygen bleach (not to be confused with chlorine bleach) is a gentle yet powerful whitening agent.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
Sometimes, manufacturers add preservatives or whitening agents.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whiten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiten
Verb
-
For the promo tour, Brown had borrowed clothes from Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton and bleached her blonde hair as an ode to the film's '90s theming.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
To honor the occasion, Reese bleached her hair and chopped it to her collarbone.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For one night, under cold rain and flickering red lights, the noise faded.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Once summer flowers fade and growth stops, start cleaning up the garden.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
During the run of this show, PowPAC will be accepting new, unwrapped toys that will be given to the Toys for Tots program to brighten the holidays for local children.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
-
There is something undeniably exciting about a brisk breeze and the sensation of leaves crunching under your feet, so embrace the colors of the season with a front door refresh to brighten up your comings and goings (and impress all of your holiday guests come November).—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whiten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiten. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share