Synonyms of whitewashing

whitewashing

verb

present participle of whitewash

1

as in ignoring

to dismiss as of little importance

refused to whitewash the governor's chronic disregard for the truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ignoring
• forgiving
• overlooking
• justifying
• explaining
• pardoning
• disregarding
• excusing
• condoning
• discounting
• brushing (aside or off)
• passing over
• remitting
• winking (at)
• blinking (at)
• glossing (over)
• shrugging off
• papering over
• forgiving and forgetting
• rationalizing
• overpassing
• exonerating
• glozing (over)
• exculpating
• vindicating
• absolving
• closing one's eyes to
• acquitting
• waiving
• waving (aside or off)
• clearing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• marking
• noting
• objecting (to)
• heeding
• minding

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

• excusing
• justifying
• explaining
• palliating
• extenuating
• deodorizing
• glossing (over)
• minimizing
• explaining away
• apologizing
• confessing
• varnishing
• atoning
• sugarcoating
• glozing (over)
• rationalizing
• softening
• mitigating
• alleviating
• tempering
• exonerating
• accounting (for)
• lightening
• moderating
• exculpating
• vindicating
• absolving
• soft-pedaling
• lessening
• acquitting
• playing down
• easing
• clearing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of whitewashing

Critics accused state leaders of deliberately whitewashing the history of slavery. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

To freshmen from then to now, whitewashing the rock(s) before the season has tended to create a sense of belonging and ownership. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Japan’s Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum has been accused of whitewashing the country’s wartime past. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026

The overnight removal and replacement of the panels, steps from Independence Hall, sparked outrage from Philadelphia officials and activists who say federal authorities are whitewashing the city’s history of slavery. — Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Clark accused some board members of whitewashing history after Young amended the curriculum to remove one definition of slavery for third-graders, citing redundancy. — Rachel Royster. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026

However, the other signs of whitewashing — multiple, vague but positive reviews — were not present. — Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026

Protect them with shade or by whitewashing the bark. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026

Some view the men's team as complicit in whitewashing the Iranian government's repression and can’t bear to watch the competition. — ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026