whitewashes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of whitewash
1
as in ignores
to dismiss as of little importance refused to whitewash the governor's chronic disregard for the truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in justifies
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

whitewashes

2 of 2

noun

plural of whitewash
1
as in rationalizations

Related Words
2
as in washouts

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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 whitewashes
Verb
Burns, who is Black, also pushed back on criticisms that the state’s new Black history curriculum whitewashes the history of slavery and oppression in America. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026 The biography is presented as a clear-eyed and evenhanded examination of Reid’s complex legacy that neither whitewashes his methods nor diminishes his accomplishments. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewashes
  1. ignores
  2. justifies
  3. rationales
  4. washouts
  5. forgives
  6. excuses
  7. justifications
  8. shutouts
Verb
  • In the sketch, Washington’s announcement prompts a skeptical colonist (David) to imagine a future leader who ignores the Constitution, uses the presidency for personal gain and seeks to remain in power.
    — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Our farmers and small businesses are already following strong safety rules — a one-size-fits-all federal ban ignores that.
    — A.J. Herrington, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignores
Verb
  • Each enterprise has to decide what level of availability justifies that investment.
    — Srini Srinivasan, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The watch justifies its premium and improves upon its two-year-old predecessor with three-day battery life and a blindingly bright screen.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of justifies
Noun
  • For Mary Kay, the latter of these rationales seems to have been clothed in the guise of the former, though the precise catalyst for establishing her own outfit remains indeterminate.
    — Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 15 July 2026
  • Americans heard much more forthright rationales from generals involved in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
    — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Definition of rationales
Noun
  • But in a world where a few basis points separates legends from washouts, a 10-point edge is an enormous windfall for anyone who trusted Kalshi’s numbers over those crunched by CME, the giant futures-exchange operator.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The two subsequent washouts have given Sri Lanka a 1-0 series victory.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 June 2026
Definition of washouts
Verb
  • But Hannah, who sees his true good nature, forgives him.
    — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 22 May 2026
  • While The Pitt forgives and empathizes with Robby’s flaws, Robby is not called on to extend that empathy to others.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of forgives
Verb
  • For me, the larger question is not whether artistic behavior excuses transgression, but how to hold artistic achievement and ethical accountability together without allowing one to erase the other.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, some attack our business's fees, as though changing the subject somehow excuses copying another company's intellectual property.
    — Brian Taylor, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of excuses
Noun
  • At the center lies carceral safety politics—logics that turn fears of violence into justifications for punitive responses.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
  • His shows were cancelled for what writers for Ynet and Haaretz considered questionable reasons, among them alleged pressure from Netanyahu’s allies, although the networks involved named other justifications, including financial ones.
    — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of justifications
Noun
  • Riley Bell, Senior, Crowley Bell earned District 3-6A Goalkeeper of the Year and TASCO First Team All Region honors, recording 207 saves and five shutouts on the season, including 125 saves and one shutout in district play alone.
    — Charles Baggarly May 7, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2026
Definition of shutouts

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Cite this Entry

“Whitewashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewashes. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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