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
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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
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Recent Examples of whitewash
The Athletic, New York Times, 28 July 2025
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
Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
Film workers for Palestine target those complicit, film companies and institutions, that are whitewashing or justifying Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its apartheid regime.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Verb
Instead, focus on having highly competitive games in which something is always at stake, not a cricket score whitewash.
—The Athletic, New York Times, 28 July 2025
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
Noun
The moss brings a splash of color that maintains a sophisticated and minimalist quality, while keeping a space from becoming whitewashed.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
Film workers for Palestine target those complicit, film companies and institutions, that are whitewashing or justifying Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its apartheid regime.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
-
Over the summer the FDA convened a panel on the safety of certain antidepressants in pregnancy that tried to cast doubt on this research, ignoring the real harms of not treating depression or anxiety for pregnant people themselves and for their fetuses.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
23 Oct. 2025
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But the writers, like Noah and Joanne, are ignoring that fundamental fork in the road in favor of inane high jinks from the couple and their increasingly irksome friends and family.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their cry is not against the faith itself but against distorted theology that excuses cruelty.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
-
After Politico reported that Young Republicans expressed outrageously racist, misogynistic and anti-Semitic sentiments, Vice President JD Vance excused it as just the edgy chat of young activists.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
His most ambitious series to date, Pluribus can be seen as a corrective of sorts—a grand, artful, mind-bendingly philosophical, darkly funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but consistently humane vindication of our fractious species.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
-
But so far, Jones should feel major vindication for giving Schottenheimer the gig, because Schottenheimer is coaxing the best football out of quarterback Dak Prescott.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Market breadth was negative but not a washout, new 52-week highs were still well ahead of new lows.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Trump will need to hope for hostilities to be short-lasting, or for these voters to be forgiving.—
Javier Corrales,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
-
He could have been forgiven for getting a bit discouraged.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The midfield area certainly functioned better against Frankfurt, with Curtis Jones more than justifying his inclusion.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
This isn’t to justify those prior murders.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the month since trading Parsons, Jones has offered a steady stream of rationalizations, some of which sound more plausible than others.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Ideological stances often come after political ones, essentially post-facto rationalizations.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This recent injury followed a similar setback in 2023.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Occasional setbacks are part of the process—stay consistent and calm, and your dog will learn.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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