1
as in ignored
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 excused
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of whitewashed
By then, investigators had checked Guthrie’s flat, whitewashed roof and probed her septic tank with a long pole.
—
Paige Williams, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Sleek chrome furniture, a chef-grade kitchen, and whitewashed walls bring light in.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
Its pristine, whitewashed aesthetic often evokes the charm of the Greek Islands.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2026
Visitors and locals alike appreciate the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture, whitewashed adobe buildings, and red-tile roofs nestled at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains, bordering the Pacific Ocean.
—Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
In 2026, designers predict that what's underfoot will get darker and more colorful, rather than the light, whitewashed look that's on its way out.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Marcos Jr’s landslide victory in 2022 marked an extraordinary comeback for the notorious political family, which critics claimed was made possible in part by disinformation campaigns which whitewashed the history of the Marcos era.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
Further south and inland, the Sierra de Aracena in Andalusia brings a tapestry of cork forests, rolling hills, and pueblos blancos — whitewashed towns where tradition thrives in every plaza.
—Spain Tourism, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Network television begin to feel, frankly, whitewashed.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Paige Williams, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
Sleek chrome furniture, a chef-grade kitchen, and whitewashed walls bring light in.
—Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 28 Jan. 2026
Its pristine, whitewashed aesthetic often evokes the charm of the Greek Islands.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2026
Visitors and locals alike appreciate the Spanish Colonial Revival-style architecture, whitewashed adobe buildings, and red-tile roofs nestled at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains, bordering the Pacific Ocean.
—Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
In 2026, designers predict that what's underfoot will get darker and more colorful, rather than the light, whitewashed look that's on its way out.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026
Marcos Jr’s landslide victory in 2022 marked an extraordinary comeback for the notorious political family, which critics claimed was made possible in part by disinformation campaigns which whitewashed the history of the Marcos era.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
Further south and inland, the Sierra de Aracena in Andalusia brings a tapestry of cork forests, rolling hills, and pueblos blancos — whitewashed towns where tradition thrives in every plaza.
—Spain Tourism, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
Network television begin to feel, frankly, whitewashed.
—Senior Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewashed
Verb
-
So, the fact that the Illinois fireworks ban is roundly ignored by Illinoisans is not a surprise to anyone, as the night skies prove on Independence Day.—
Brad Weisenstein,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Ackerly says the lesson is simple but often ignored.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Judges have a duty to uphold statutes designed to protect victims, to respect the lawful role of law enforcement, and to ensure that criminal conduct is addressed through the rule of law — not excused, minimized, or politicized.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Craig did not stay to field questions from the media, respectfully excused for what a spokesperson described as fatigue from a long day.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After Pratt’s sentencing, Foster and several of the victims said the copyrights issue was an important and overlooked part of his plea agreement and sentence.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Nutrition and chronic disease prevention cannot be overlooked either.—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Any increase should be a last resort and carefully justified to protect residents already facing rising costs.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Government officials have defended officers’ actions as necessary and justified, while giving misleading or false accounts of some clashes.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Bartlett had been affiliated with the abolitionist movement during his time attending Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, Krupa explained.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
As the coverage increases to about 80%, shadows on the ground begin to sharpen and lose their fuzzy edges, the light around you dims, and shadows start to look curved, Young explained.—
Lily Hautau,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Once dry, these kernels are pressed to extract the oil and then deodorized.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
28 Aug. 2025
-
After finding the currency and reporting it, the crew cleaned and deodorized the bills and returned all of the loot to the homeowner.—
Kirby Adams,
The Courier-Journal,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whitewashed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewashed. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
