1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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

Relevance

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

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 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
  • Suzanne, the sulky, artistic type, scowls and pointedly ignores their noisy energy.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The possibility of cloning the Peruvian system in Venezuela also ignores how long the process took.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of ignores
Verb
  • For wealth advisors and the product providers, like AQR and Quantinno, the complexity justifies the fees and benefits.
    — Robert Frank, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The overall experience more than justifies the 15-minute ferry ride from the mainland.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Frimpong also referenced cases in which immigration officers offered justifications for an arrest that did not match evidence from the scene.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Mulligan’s Lindsay is brittle, entitled and frequently cruel, giving the actress the chance to deliver scathing rejoinders and self-deluded justifications, all with a deep reservoir of personal disappointment.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 10 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

Browse Nearby Words

whitewashed
whitewashes
whitewashing
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whitewashes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewashes. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of elegiac

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 18
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All