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
Effects include: Teeth whitening: One of the most common reasons people use hydrogen peroxide is to whiten teeth.
—
Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 15 May 2025
Every new detergent from Procter & Gamble that whitens your laundry 10% better is a sustaining innovation.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
After almost 40 years of using whitening products, Anderson has sworn them off since February 2024.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 25 Mar. 2025
With the nails properly buffed, whitening products can come into play.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whiten
Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 15 May 2025
Every new detergent from Procter & Gamble that whitens your laundry 10% better is a sustaining innovation.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
After almost 40 years of using whitening products, Anderson has sworn them off since February 2024.
—Emmanuel Akinwotu, NPR, 25 Mar. 2025
With the nails properly buffed, whitening products can come into play.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 27 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whiten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiten
Verb
-
Rising sea temperatures compound the damage, triggering bleaching events that cause coral to expel their life-giving algae.—
Ashlee Marie Preston,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
Paper towel pulp may be bleached during this process or left unbleached and natural.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
The brand recommends avoiding dabbing or blotting after applying the spray, as this can cause the fragrance to break down and fade.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
15 July 2025
-
The celestial trio will remain close to each other throughout the night, with Saturn and Neptune eventually fading from sight in the southern sky when the sun rises on July 16.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
-
Meanwhile lactic acid, a gentle exfoliant, brightens the skin.—
Jessica Kasparian,
SELF,
21 July 2025
-
Holding the door, offering a genuine compliment, or expressing gratitude can brighten someone else’s day and shift your own mindset in the process.—
William Arruda,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whiten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whiten. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share