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
Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2025
There is nothing that forces a shake-up and introspection more than an Ashes whitewash, and England turned to one of the biggest figures in women’s cricket history after a woeful winter.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 18 June 2025
India are no longer the Invincibles at home, having been whitewashed by New Zealand.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Verb
The warmth offsets the cool pink-gray undertones from the whitewash, giving the room a welcoming, cocooning quality.
—Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 July 2025
There is nothing that forces a shake-up and introspection more than an Ashes whitewash, and England turned to one of the biggest figures in women’s cricket history after a woeful winter.
—Paul Newman, New York Times, 28 June 2025
Noun
But the request has sparked concern that the federal government is attempting to whitewash its own history.
—Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 18 June 2025
India are no longer the Invincibles at home, having been whitewashed by New Zealand.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
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Or Joe Biden when Putin ignored his warnings and invaded Ukraine in 2022.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
16 Aug. 2025
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Somehow the checkers are ignoring the fact that Trump was referring to the five-year period.—
John R. Lott Jr,
The Orlando Sentinel,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Oddly, Oh doesn’t seem to express the bereavement that is Olivia’s reason—or excuse—for withdrawing from the world of men.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
22 Aug. 2025
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His life defies the easy narratives of the internet, challenging us to recognize excellence without excusing behavior.—
Ethan Bauer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Combs can claim some vindication Combs and his defense team surely hoped he would be acquitted on all counts.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
2 July 2025
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Not surprisingly, Trump cast the settlement as vindication for the litigation that has been decried as political extortion by legal scholars and First Amendment advocates.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Compared to the haze of Lollapalooza Day 1, the washout redux of NASCAR weekend and the action-alert heat that’s suffocated the city since June, Saturday afternoon in Grant Park was Chicago finally showing its best.—
Lily Carey,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Aug. 2025
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This year could be a washout for the stock market due to lofty tariffs, but 2026 could mark a return to new highs, according to the Wells Fargo Investment Institute.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters could be forgiven for a lack of excitement when their latest summer signing was confirmed this week.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
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One could be forgiven for regarding it as a trial or even a punishment; at best a mild embarrassment, at worst a scarring disaster.—
Book Marks
August 21,
Literary Hub,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Instead, it is used symbolically: to impress investors, manage employee morale, and justify corporate restructuring.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
17 Aug. 2025
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The military, which had previously ruled Myanmar with an iron fist for decades, sought to justify its takeover by alleging widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, which was won in a landslide by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Aug. 2025
Noun
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In the first half of the year, Gucci trimmed its store count by 18 units, as part of a broader retail rationalization process implemented by Kering across its brands, which will see a total of 80 store closures in 2025, up from the 50 announced at the start of the year.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
5 Aug. 2025
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Transitioning to the analysis phase, the focus shifts to evaluating your processes and IT landscape to identify areas for rationalization or optimization.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Ila Desai faced setbacks when developing Girls Count Too, a math program for fifth-grade girls.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
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While appearing on Today with Jenna & Friends, the dad of two told Jenna Bush Hager that his daughter intends to get her license in September after a small setback.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
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