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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The bar claims the firm refused to remove the attorney’s name from its website for years, ignoring a cease and desist letter from McBratney’s new employer.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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Andersen advises ignoring any one particular economic indicator in favor of looking at longer term trends.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 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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The gym too is stylishly designed—with hemlock floors and forgiving lights—and the fitness equipment is up-to-date, if unfortunately not sourced from Olympus itself.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
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As is Lauren soft-forgiving her but refusing to share her Champagne.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Neither the warrant nor the underlying affidavit justifying the warrant has been released.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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What’s old is new Third spaces have evolved to encompass specific purposes, justifying the price tag that often comes with them, since some membership clubs can thousands of dollars per month.—
Laya Neelakandan,
CNBC,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Cobblestone streets and Spanish colonial landmarks give the compact downtown a European feel, anchored by the 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos overlooking Matanzas Bay.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Mar. 2026
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Dining includes Cut by Wolfgang Puck and the BLVD overlooking Rodeo Drive.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gassert disagreed with Dominguez’s decision to kick Oliveros out of the house, explaining that an agent’s morality shouldn’t be conditional.—
Tyler Carmona,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
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Now, the Connecticut state legislature is moving to control the curriculum of all schools in the state without explaining why politicians know better than parents how to educate their children.—
Nicholas Tampio,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whitewashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewashing. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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