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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of whitewash
Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
So what food crimes were these celebs whitewashing with their presence at Live Más Live?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Katherine Lagrave, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
Visit the whitewash beacon and adjacent lightkeeper’s house located at the Southern end of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Verb
Sterilized, whitewashed, controlled, censored – all those words apply.
—Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
So what food crimes were these celebs whitewashing with their presence at Live Más Live?
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Noun
Dating to around 1250, the small church was built of boulders and has since been covered with whitewash.
—Katherine Lagrave, AFAR Media, 16 Sep. 2025
Visit the whitewash beacon and adjacent lightkeeper’s house located at the Southern end of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
-
The Europeans are shrugging off these comments, if not ignoring them entirely.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Carla says her parents had no idea who might be behind the robberies and were surprised the thieves had ignored the millions of dollars’ worth of paintings.—
Jennifer Cannon,
Vanity Fair,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the couple continued to pepper Harry with questions, Caroline excused herself to get another seltzer.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Continue reading … MEDIA HALL PASS — Nashville public school excuses Muslim students for daily prayer time during Ramadan.—
,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Frick employees may feel a similar dose of vindication.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The current war has vindicated their investments in renewable energy – though the vindication has limits.—
Ezgi Canpolat,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The rain will not be a washout, but rather a series of brief showers continuing through the morning hours.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
After 48 years of unsuccessful politicking, one might be tempted to call the idea of indexing capital gains a certified washout.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This little houseplant is easy for beginners, safe around pets, purifies the air, and is forgiving of neglect.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Now, Billy Ray is reportedly trying to make amends with his family, but Tish isn’t so forgiving.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At a time of widespread angst over runaway ticket prices, merely encountering something novel at a concert isn’t enough for many to justify the cost of getting in the door, particularly when superstars like Taylor Swift and SZA are on the road showing that innovation and value can coexist.—
Vanessa Franko,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Seeing injustice justified with IQ, educators grew increasingly fed up with the indicator in the second half of the 20th century.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Trump, meanwhile, has struck a decidedly defiant tone — offering few of the reassurances or rationalizations that past presidents have offered in the initial stages of war, and sounding more unbothered than embattled.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 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
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With strong leadership and direction, what first appears as setbacks can in fact be a jumping-off point for invention and growth.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
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In revisiting Lehmann’s story, Strager highlights that Lehmann’s legacy is one of resilience and perseverance—proof that early setbacks do not define a person and that brilliance can flourish, even later in life.—
Carol Sutton Lewis,
Scientific American,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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