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
No longer a hidden gem or best-kept secret, Puglia’s dramatic beaches, Baroque cities, and whitewashed trulli are splashed over many an Instagram feed.
—
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
The living room features whitewashed stone walls, a curved plaster fireplace, and polished concrete floors, while the kitchen has flat-front wood cabinets, a waterfall eat-in island, and exposed wood ceilings above clerestory windows.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 11 May 2026
The island’s whitewashed, clifftop village offers romantic views of the Aegean Sea, and a steep, zig-zagging path climbs up the hillside to a church.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
Sterilized, whitewashed, controlled, censored – all those words apply.
—Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
In hushed towns like Locorotondo and Martina Franca, whitewashed lanes curve unexpectedly, church bells peal away the hours, and olive trees cast ever longer shadows onto dusty squares.
—Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
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
Its pristine, whitewashed aesthetic often evokes the charm of the Greek Islands.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 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
Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2026
The living room features whitewashed stone walls, a curved plaster fireplace, and polished concrete floors, while the kitchen has flat-front wood cabinets, a waterfall eat-in island, and exposed wood ceilings above clerestory windows.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 11 May 2026
The island’s whitewashed, clifftop village offers romantic views of the Aegean Sea, and a steep, zig-zagging path climbs up the hillside to a church.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
Sterilized, whitewashed, controlled, censored – all those words apply.
—Jim Axelrod, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
In hushed towns like Locorotondo and Martina Franca, whitewashed lanes curve unexpectedly, church bells peal away the hours, and olive trees cast ever longer shadows onto dusty squares.
—Rob Crossan, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2026
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
Its pristine, whitewashed aesthetic often evokes the charm of the Greek Islands.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewashed
Verb
-
For the past five years, Juneteenth has been recognized as a federal holiday, encouraging people across the country to reflect not only on the nation's tangled past with slavery, but the wider legacy of forgotten, ignored and intentionally buried stories about Black America.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
Against such seismic personal developments, the simultaneous grown and depletion of White Rock and its environs happen at a far more gradual pace, but don’t go ignored by Choijoovanchig and his patient camera.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Canada’s draw could be excused given injury absences.—
Ian Nicholas Quillen,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
-
Dye was excused from practice for a personal matter.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Full of fresh summer favorites and ooey-gooey cheese, Zucchini, Squash, And Corn Casserole is not to be overlooked!—
Mary Alice Russell,
Southern Living,
21 June 2026
-
Who are some prospects being overlooked or overvalued?—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
Dual class share structures at Alphabet and Meta have been justified on precisely these grounds, and Musk has argued that the listing’s design will protect SpaceX’s long-term vision from activist pressure for more immediate profits.—
Mary Johnstone-Louis,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
The officer in that case was acquitted of criminal charges and found justified in his use of force by a review board.—
TRAVIS LOLLER,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Madonna explained that Netflix later connected with her to make a series based on her life and career, but the matter was complicated due to the star not being able to use the script from the Universal project.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
-
Part of that difference can be explained by the concerns around capital expenditures.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
Therefore, they are heated, neutralized, bleached, and deodorized to improve the flavor.—
Isabel Vasquez RD LDN,
Health,
16 Apr. 2026
-
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 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
