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
Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Liberal Ted Garcia is a slick political phony — a cartoonish whitewash of actual government authoritarians (Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, Andrew Cuomo, etc.).
—Armond White, National Review, 23 July 2025
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2025
Just beyond the bustle of Tunis, Sidi Bou Said unfolds like a Mediterranean reverie—whitewashed villas gleaming beneath a sky the same shade as its famed blue doors.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Verb
With a professional tour record of 6–0 over Australian sides, the Lions now aim to secure a 3–0 series whitewash on Australian soil for the first time since 1974.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 July 2025
Liberal Ted Garcia is a slick political phony — a cartoonish whitewash of actual government authoritarians (Gavin Newsom, Gretchen Whitmer, Andrew Cuomo, etc.).
—Armond White, National Review, 23 July 2025
Noun
Culture must never be used to whitewash crimes or serve as a propaganda tool.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2025
Just beyond the bustle of Tunis, Sidi Bou Said unfolds like a Mediterranean reverie—whitewashed villas gleaming beneath a sky the same shade as its famed blue doors.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
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That many in the media have ignored the unit’s rise is an indictment.—
Sean Durns,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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Amid all its glorious and aesthetic architecture lies the massive environmental impact that cannot be ignored.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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It was announced by the Vikings head coach that McCarthy was excused due to being at the hospital with his fiancée to welcome the arrival of his baby boy.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
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Likewise, with cameras on the trains in Charlotte, the public could be excused for wondering why there wasn’t a more immediate response after the event.—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Well, setting aside the film, does this return feel like a vindication, like the world has finally caught up with you?—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Fux's vote also ignited a surge of righteous relief among the former president's supporters, who hailed it as a vindication.—
Ricardo Brito,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The storm also left people trapped in seven vehicles on nearby roads after overflowing creeks caused washouts, deputies said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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Because of semaglutide's long washout period, treatment should also be stopped at least two months before a planned pregnancy.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If a Manchester United fan missed this game (good call, by the way) and just looked at the post-match stats, they could be forgiven for thinking their boys put up a decent display.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Both characters struggle to forgive themselves for past mistakes and are reluctant to dive back into relationships.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a bipartisan vote, 49 Republicans joined Democrats to repeal the authorizations, which members say have been abused to justify later military actions.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
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Judge Carreño-Coll further ruled that the plaintiffs had failed to establish that all the ten named defendants, along with various unnamed companies and individuals even had sufficient connections to Puerto Rico to justify the filing of the lawsuit to begin with.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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There has been a lot of finger pointing, blame and rationalization from all sides, but the silver lining for travelers is that with Vegas visitation down, whatever the reasons, the city is starting to roll out travel deals, even on the Strip, were hotels have been resistant to package discounts.—
Larry Olmsted,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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The days of superstitious rationalizations were over, and any losing Cubs team in the future would have to instead look in the mirror.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Jackson faced several setbacks this season but proved her fitness during the 100-meter dash rounds the past two days.—
Katelyn Hutchison,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Sunday’s setback, Johnson said, occurred in the same affected area but in a new way.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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