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
Related Words
2
as in washout
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whitewash
Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2026
Some view the men's team as complicit in whitewashing the Iranian government's repression and can’t bear to watch the competition.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Reuters, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
The key to the snowiest of days is a good pair of boots—and why not match your sunglasses to your red footwear for a flash of color in a whitewash?
—Gena Kaufman, InStyle, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Verb
Critics have argued that its efforts whitewash history and limit representation of disadvantaged groups.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2026
Some view the men's team as complicit in whitewashing the Iranian government's repression and can’t bear to watch the competition.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
More recently, in November and December, the U.S. completed a commanding whitewash in the four-match Rivalry Series, outscoring their opponents 24-7, including a 10-4 victory.
—Reuters, NBC news, 3 Feb. 2026
The key to the snowiest of days is a good pair of boots—and why not match your sunglasses to your red footwear for a flash of color in a whitewash?
—Gena Kaufman, InStyle, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
-
Ricketts faces four primary challengers of his own, but he's mostly ignored those rivals to put more attention towards Osborn in what could be a competitive race.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
Common laundry habits — ignoring dryer vent buildup, leaving wet clothes in the washer, using hot water on everything and skipping the washing machine gasket — can damage appliances, ruin fabrics and even create a fire risk.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Journalists must avoid deception, but the primary instance when it may be excused is in deceiving certain sources during undercover investigations on an issue of public importance.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
7 May 2026
-
Now, that doesn’t excuse Amad’s extremely sloppy pass, straight to Dominik Szoboszlai, who ran through unchecked to score.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Just a handful of states are not part of the compact and Operation Nightingale may serve as some vindication for the holdouts.—
Annie Martin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 May 2026
-
Although some Republicans appear to still be seeking vindication, Democrats are convinced the probe itself is a threat to future elections.—
Caleb Groves,
AJC.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
There will be several chances for rain across Maryland Wednesday through early next week, but none of the days are looking like washouts.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
This is an ideal grass for patching after a washout.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After losing a child far too young, a parent might be forgiven for turning away from the world, shrinking in their grief.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
-
The findings provide a backdrop to the city’s latest ask of voters to forgive roughly $2 million in small-business taxes.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Though directors had grievances with John’s leadership, their complaints weren’t serious enough to justify firing him at this point.—
Geoffrey Cain,
Vanity Fair,
11 May 2026
-
Westerman said tolls would be justified because the first iteration of the Great American Outdoors Act directed money to restore the George Washington Memorial Parkway, a federal road in the metropolitan Washington area.—
Garrett Downs,Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Although the Mughals mainly incorporated the existing Indian revenue system, Akbar’s reign also saw the rationalization of revenue administration, notably under the Hindu minister Todar Mal, with systematic land measurement and assessment that balanced imperial income with agrarian stability.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 Apr. 2026
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Two at-odds facts can both be true, and all of us are susceptible to arrogance and self-serving rationalization.—
Carol Quillen,
Time,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Bucs avenged a 12-10 loss and a 16-8 setback in the two regular-season matchups between the two teams.—
Alex Kushel,
Sun Sentinel,
10 May 2026
-
On Saturday, the schools learned how much the setbacks affected their playoff seeding.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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