1
as in ignoring
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 excusing
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whitewashing
But there’s no whitewashing its flaws.
—
Rebeccah Heinrichs, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, House Republicans recently established a committee to reinvestigate the events of that day, forcing taxpayers to fund an apparent effort at whitewashing the riot and its causes.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
Ahead of the parade, Chinese officials ramped up their rhetoric and accused Japan of whitewashing history.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
The official award Monday drew outrage from rights activists who accuse the country’s current leader, President Prabowo Subianto, of whitewashing his former father-in-law’s legacy.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewashing
Rebeccah Heinrichs, Foreign Affairs, 15 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile, House Republicans recently established a committee to reinvestigate the events of that day, forcing taxpayers to fund an apparent effort at whitewashing the riot and its causes.
—Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 27 Nov. 2025
Ahead of the parade, Chinese officials ramped up their rhetoric and accused Japan of whitewashing history.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 12 Nov. 2025
The official award Monday drew outrage from rights activists who accuse the country’s current leader, President Prabowo Subianto, of whitewashing his former father-in-law’s legacy.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewashing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewashing
Verb
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This authoritarian apparatus has relied on mass killings to ensure its survival while ignoring the basic and inalienable rights of citizens—including the fundamental right to seek change in the political system.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
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Similar to Gray’s case, the Crumbleys were charged for ignoring warning signs that their children could be capable of violence and allowing their children access to guns.—
Jozsef Papp,
AJC.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Americans must hold the president to a higher standard and stop excusing him like a misbehaving child from a broken home.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
7 Feb. 2026
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But there’s no excusing Josh Allen’s four turnovers.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Batwing sleeves and a loose, forgiving shape leave plenty of extra fabric to cozy into, but ribbing around the entrance of the sleeves creates a snug fit to prevent cold air from touching your skin.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
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Venus in Pisces is all that and more — encouraging people to be forgiving and sacrificing for others.—
Lisa Stardust,
Refinery29,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Every department should be submitting regular reports justifying expenses, if not their own continued existence.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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There were outings when Flaherty looked every bit the best version of himself, justifying the Detroit Tigers’ decision to reunite with him after trading him at the 2024 deadline.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Japan romantics may be overlooking some clear drawbacks, however, including the 30 years of economic struggles that followed the bursting of a truly epic bubble in the 1990s.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
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The centerpiece of the 13-acre-plus parkland is a curved bridge overlooking a savanna, allowing elephants to walk under guests.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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And Page [McConnell]is sitting backstage with him in one of the dressing rooms explaining that.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
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Beyond Herrington, current Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has prioritized teaching and explaining Bezos’s principles internally, even launching video explanations of each one to help employees interpret them.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whitewashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewashing. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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