1
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance
refused to whitewash the governor's chronic disregard for the truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to excuse
to make (something) seem less bad by offering excuses
don't try to whitewash your rudeness by claiming that you were having a bad day
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in vindication
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in washout
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whitewash
Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Neither the removal of a mural nor attempts to whitewash the past can change those facts.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2025
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Darts finals have been won more handsomely — the sport’s all-time great Phil Taylor dished out three 7-0 whitewashes in his heyday — but not like this.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Verb
Traditional towns feature cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, azulejo tiles, red pantiles, and lacework chimney pots.
—Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Neither the removal of a mural nor attempts to whitewash the past can change those facts.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
This was total obliteration too, a three-nil whitewash that was clinical and composed.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Darts finals have been won more handsomely — the sport’s all-time great Phil Taylor dished out three 7-0 whitewashes in his heyday — but not like this.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
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Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
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However, Catherine was unimpressed by him going overboard — and ignoring the importance of bedside manner — in the clinic.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Behaviors once deemed unacceptable are becoming normalized and excused.—
Toby Wong,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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The school board then revised its Religious Diversity Guidelines to limit the circumstances when students can be excused to noncurricular activities or free-time events that conflict with their family's religious practices.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But in the crypto world, it was celebrated as a moment of vindication.—
David Yaffe-Bellany,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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While Duterte's arrest is a moment of vindication for those who have campaigned for the victims of the anti-drugs crackdown, Arguelles says the former president still maintains plenty of support.—
Adam Hancock,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Cinema Saviours After years of the washout of the Covid years, the appearance of Oppenheimer and Barbie, appearing in cinemas at the same time gave us the much talked about ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon, with many people choosing to see both films on the same day.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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In fairness, Grier and McDaniel haven’t wasted much money on big-ticket washouts.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Clear communication with borrowers One can forgive borrowers for being confused in this moment.—
Preston Cooper,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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Indeed, you could be forgiven for growing slightly cynical of the big pledges, glossy roadmaps, endless subsidy schemes, and constant climate conferences.—
Antoine Rostand,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The myth that trans women are a danger to cis women is a grossly transphobic stereotype with almost no real-world justification, but Rowling pins most of her anti-trans arguments on it, using her experience as a survivor of domestic abuse to justify her prejudice.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
18 Apr. 2025
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As a result, the court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to either determine whether greenhouse gases from new vehicles contribute to climate change, and therefore endanger human health, or justify its refusal to study the issue.—
Hannah Wiseman,
The Conversation,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In fact, in some cases, providing explanations can reduce trust by exposing the system’s limitations or offering post-hoc rationalizations that users instinctively recognize as hollow.—
Jason Snyder,
Forbes.com,
19 Apr. 2025
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This baffling rationalization ignores the entire point of the process by which visa holders become permanent residents and, often, citizens (not to mention the existence of time).—
Jay Caspian Kang,
The New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Caliente – real name Bianca Castro -had in recent days suffered a serious health setback which included the loss of her right leg.—
Caroline Frost,
Deadline,
27 Apr. 2025
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The Two-Way Justice Department Issues Scathing Report On Baltimore Police Department There have been setbacks in Sandtown, too.—
Sarah Handel,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
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