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
  • The White House is likely to play hardball if confronted with investigations, and Democrats are bracing for an administration that potentially ignores subpoenas or refuses to turn over paperwork that lawmakers are demanding.
    — Lisa Mascaro, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Defending Israel's military strikes, Netanyahu blasted the dramatic hall exit as mind-blowing hypocrisy that ignores the global threat posed by Iran.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of ignores
Verb
  • And for four consecutive games, the running back unit has proved it more than justifies the hype.
    — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Still, the goodness of the final product justifies the effort.
    — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of justifies
Noun
  • While there are plenty of rationales, CBS News will have to be patient and hope that viewers will sample the program, which largely had the same look as last year despite Weiss’ changes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Commentators from across the political spectrum have observed that, while opponents might cite water or electricity usage as their reasons, there are deeper rationales for the reaction against data centers.
    — Stephanie Hanes, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of rationales
Noun
  • Officials said special attention will be given to gravel roads that could be susceptible to washouts and erosion.
    — Detroit Free Press, Freep.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of washouts
Verb
  • Patrick Clancy forgives his ex-wife In the days after the tragedy, Patrick wrote tributes to each of his three children and decided to publicly forgive Lindsay.
    — Ross Douthat, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives borrowers who make 120 monthly payments while working for a qualifying government entity or nonprofit employer, is one way borrowers can be relieved of their student loan debt.
    — Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 12 Sep. 2026
Definition of forgives
Verb
  • None of that excuses his behavior, but a change of brain function, rather than a change of heart, is something his constituents need to consider.
    — Michael P.H. Stanley, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Any person who celebrates, encourages, or excuses actions like these is fundamentally wrong.
    — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of excuses
Noun
  • Catch and eliminate personal excuses, justifications, or peer comparisons.
    — Brendan Keegan, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Despite such justifications, these cuts, closures and layoffs have caused morale to plummet at Goddard, some current workers say, and have left management increasingly disconnected from the research center’s day-to-day operations.
    — Eric Niiler, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 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 5 Oct. 2026.

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