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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of whitewash
Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 June 2025
There was a 70 against New Zealand in the disastrous three-nil whitewash, but not much else.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Time, 17 June 2025
Dukas / Universal Images Group via Getty Images file
Nottoway, a former sugar plantation, has been criticized for whitewashing the past.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Verb
After a couple of goalless draws and a laughable 10-0 whitewash, this is more like it: four goals, three red cards and a contest that rid the Club World Cup of its pre-season tour vibe.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 17 June 2025
There was a 70 against New Zealand in the disastrous three-nil whitewash, but not much else.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025
Noun
In fact, state efforts to whitewash history can inadvertently create opportunities for activists to push narratives in the opposite direction—expanding, rather than narrowing, how slavery and its long legacies are conceived and discussed.
—Time, 17 June 2025
Dukas / Universal Images Group via Getty Images file
Nottoway, a former sugar plantation, has been criticized for whitewashing the past.
—Bracey Harris, NBC news, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
-
Similarly, while some food stamp provisions remain, the narrative ignores the potential for reduced access for others, including children and pregnant women, under changes to eligibility.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 July 2025
-
Donald Trump promised to go after the worst of the worst, but his administration's heavy-handed tactics in many cases ignore people's constitutional rights and the rule of law.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
But this uncertainty does not excuse us from continuing to operate our businesses.—
PJ Bain,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
-
The judge also reasoned that Pryor’s failure to bring a claim in a timely manner can’t be excused by fraudulent concealment.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
Now, while the verdict is mixed, Combs can claim some vindication on being cleared of the most serious charges.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
2 July 2025
-
Grant would surely see this as vindication of his thesis: Canada has abandoned its traditional identity in favor of a Canadian copy of America’s Ellis Island narrative.—
Zack Beauchamp,
Vox,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Rain is set to continue in the Northeast on Thursday as New York City, Boston and Buffalo can expect a washout as the late-season nor'easter moves north along the coast.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Part of the cost of replacing lead lines in New London is being covered by a $6.9 million federal loan, a portion of which will be forgiven.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
28 July 2025
-
On the other side, Israel’s demolition and occupation of much of Gaza has made Palestinians all the less willing to reconcile with and forgive Israel.—
DANIEL BYMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
However, the Commission did not indicate any sudden or unexpected event that would justify the urgency.—
Jon McGowan,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
-
Lay of the land Advocates for the Golden Dome point to recent events to justify the program.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
The problem isn’t necessarily the rationalizations and justifications.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 July 2025
-
Nearly 32,000 prose rationalizations poured from the research.—
Tor Constantino,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
In the late 2000s, Erdogan started secret talks with the PKK leadership in Oslo, in coordination with Ocalan, which faced sabotage and setbacks, but eventually led to a ceasefire by the PKK in 2013.—
Ragip Soylu,
Time,
18 July 2025
-
The world’s children need our support now more than ever Despite this enormous setback, UNICEF's work for children does not stop now — especially given this time of unprecedented need.—
Sarah Ferguson,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share