whitewash

1 to dismiss as of little importance refused to whitewash the governor's chronic disregard for the truth Synonyms of whitewash blink (at), brush (aside or off), condone, discount, disregard, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, overlook, overpass, paper over, pardon, pass over, remit, shrug off, excuse, wink (at)Words Related to whitewash explain, justify, rationalize; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate; waive, wave (aside or off)Near Antonyms of whitewash heed, mark, mind, note, object (to)

2 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 of whitewash deodorize, excuse, explain away, extenuate, gloss (over), gloze (over), palliateWords Related to whitewash sugarcoat, varnish; apologize, atone, confess; account (for), explain, justify, rationalize; minimize, play down, soft-pedal; alleviate, ease, lessen, lighten, mitigate, moderate, soften, temper; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate