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
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in washout
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whitewash
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Last month, Brendan Ballou, one of the Jan. 6 prosecutors who resigned after Trump took office told CBS News the pardons and firings were an effort to whitewash history.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 May 2025
Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025
This whitewash has not altered Farke’s opinion on reinforcements.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Verb
Qatar, where women have to get permission from their male guardians to do things like go to college, and where a non-zero number of their nationals have been sanctioned by our government for their ties to ISIS and Qaeda terror financing, has been trying to whitewash its reputation for a while.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Last month, Brendan Ballou, one of the Jan. 6 prosecutors who resigned after Trump took office told CBS News the pardons and firings were an effort to whitewash history.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 May 2025
Noun
Etch Design Group This thoughtfully crafted kitchen by Etch Design Group features natural white oak cabinetry with a custom whitewash finish, a waterfall-edge island, and a seamless Calacatta Caldia marble countertop—expertly sealed for beauty and durability.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025
This whitewash has not altered Farke’s opinion on reinforcements.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
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Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
24 May 2025
-
The Wall Street Journal: Columbia University violated federal civil-rights law by ignoring the harassment of Jewish students by classmates, a government investigation found.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
23 May 2025
Verb
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This creates a tension between excusing and exempting abuse.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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But for her, the speculation doesn’t excuse what came next.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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While questions over mentality will be assessed, players’ physical levels showed a marked improvement, offering a sense of vindication for the coaching staff.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
Andre Ventura, Chega’s founder and leader, saw the outcome as vindication for his war against the establishment parties.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2025
Noun
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BlockFi, Celsius, Voyager, Genesis, once industry’s leaders, imploded in the great 2022-2023 washout, wiping out $25 billion in loans and much of the sector’s credibility.—
Nina Bambysheva,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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As of Wednesday, weekend storms are expected to be hit-or-miss and no single day will be a complete washout, according to the NWS.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But all those terms are — forgive the pun — on the outs.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2025
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There are no limits to the number of donations per person, though fines will not be forgiven for library items that are lost or damaged.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 May 2025
Verb
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This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
-
By confusing the idea that the people’s will must prevail with what the law actually says, these leaders justify intimidating judges and their sound legal rulings, a move that ultimately undermines democracy.—
Michael Gregory,
The Conversation,
23 May 2025
Noun
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The Treasury secretary’s rationalization for Trump’s whims wouldn’t pass an undergrad econ exam.—
Veronique de Rugy,
National Review,
7 May 2025
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Technology rationalization streamlines operations, eliminates redundancies and optimizes costs.—
Kim Bozzella,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Yet Vardy took his early setbacks and used them to become one of the most resilient players in history.—
Ciarán McArdle,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
By all accounts, there has been no setback in his return from the elbow inflammation that has sidelined him since mid-March.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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