WHITEN Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

whiten

verb

ˈ(h)wī-tᵊn

Definition of whiten

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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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 Someone who wants whitening to live inside brushing may find the Glossonic setup more relevant. — Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 While a good whitening toothpaste can work to keep stains away on a day-to-day basis, these more potent kits typically use strips, trays, or a pen to deliver their whitening agents—usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide—to your teeth. — Sara Coughlin, Allure, 8 Sep. 2026 The bestselling whitening strips have more than 62,000 positive reviews. — ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026 There’s a bullet hole in Hal’s forehead, as well as a significant accumulation of snow on his already whitening hair. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiten

Verb

Dull blades leave tears and ragged ends that cause grass blades to wither and bleach out more quickly.

— Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
Martin uses a color extractor to remove existing dye, then bleaches the hair (except the gray roots) to get it as light as possible.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of bleach

Verb

But hopes of winning the two states have been fading, and the GOP is increasingly focused on playing defense elsewhere with five weeks until the midterm elections.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
The fading studio carries a note of melancholy about the state of the film industry as AI advances.

— Jenny S. Li, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of fade

Verb

If those plans were to pass, the fleet could brighten the night sky so much that astronomical observations around the world might become impossible, critics say.

— Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Draperies offer a visual divide, and natural sunlight pours through the windows to brighten the space.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of brighten

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“Whiten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiten. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of whiten

verb

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