1
as in white
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
2
as in bleached
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in faded
to make white or whiter by removing color
years of sunlight had almost completely whitened the flag
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 whitened
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
My knuckles whitened against the steering wheel.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Rub a small amount of oil, like mayonnaise or vegetable oil, on the whitened area; natural oils should suffice.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
My knuckles whitened against the steering wheel.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitened
Adjective
-
Clay vases, red rugs and white stone accents adorn the space.—
Jenna Thompson
April 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Original Glazed doughnut is dipped in blue vanilla icing, sprinkled with Oreo crunch and white nonpareils.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His style of play — muscular, bustling, old-school — stands in stark opposition to his bleached hair.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Center creases were prominent in Todd Snyder’s assortment of bleached and dark wash jeans.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The idea of a quick military solution has faded, but no serious political alternative has taken its place.—
Kazem Kazerounian,
Hartford Courant,
1 Apr. 2026
-
And the beetles faded from her days without her noticing.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, the moss’s telltale sign of woe is its glum, grayish hue, a waxen appearance that comes from ferns and algae that have crept over it.—
Sabrina Imbler,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Dec. 2020
Adjective
-
As far as the yellow bed sheets go, this feels like the truest butter yellow—still pastel but not white-washed.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Better Homes & Gardens Paisley Medallion Cotton Quilt To keep you cool throughout the warmer seasons, the BHG x Walmart quilt is made from 100% cotton with a pre-washed and pre-shrunk cotton fill for maximum softness, comfort, and breathability.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Skin color was not black, observed Roggeveen, but pale yellow or sallow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Additionally, my under-eyes look less sallow and my wrinkles (one horizontally across the forehead and two laugh lines) are not as deep.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
If not covered in additional layers and warmed swiftly, your skin turns a grayish-yellow and becomes hard and waxy.—
Brad Stulberg,
Outside,
26 Mar. 2026
-
To help keep their moisture levels in check and protect themselves from wind, desert plants often have spiny, waxy, or hairy leaves.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For example, the market demand for purified chitin is small right now, as it is used in niche applications, such as wound dressings and water filtration.—
J. Carson Meredith,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2026
-
There are no single-use plastics—glass water bottles are filled with purified well water and all the amenities are crafted from sustainable materials in partnership with South African artisans and eco-conscious businesses.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whitened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitened. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
