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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whitewashing
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
As America attempts to reclaim its pride by whitewashing its unflattering histories, Springsteen’s struggle to balance light and dark on these pointedly American recordings is tremendously poignant.
—Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
The pledge and the accompanying FAQs clearly state that the targets are complicit Israeli film institutions and companies, given their pervasive involvement in whitewashing or justifying Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its apartheid regime against all Palestinians.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewashing
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
As America attempts to reclaim its pride by whitewashing its unflattering histories, Springsteen’s struggle to balance light and dark on these pointedly American recordings is tremendously poignant.
—Will Hermes, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
The pledge and the accompanying FAQs clearly state that the targets are complicit Israeli film institutions and companies, given their pervasive involvement in whitewashing or justifying Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its apartheid regime against all Palestinians.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewashing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewashing
Verb
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And ignoring that fact is now no longer a laughing matter.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
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Parents react in different ways, from telling their potty-mouthed offspring to stop, to explaining why this is a bad habit, to ignoring the behavior, or even enforcing consequences as a punishment.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But there’s no excusing Josh Allen’s four turnovers.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
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This isn’t about excusing others for poor behavior.—
Heather V. MacArthur,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Point is, this recipe is forgiving.—
Leah Donnella,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Jan. 2026
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But even if society were genuinely forgiving, there are many types of serious crimes.—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Husband-chef and wife-farmer duo Kyle and Katina Connaughton are culinary dynamos who create pure magic on every plate served at SingleThread, more than justifying the lengthy waitlist for reservations.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
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In justifying the need for the county’s investment, county Commissioner Andrew Sommerman noted the burden homeless individuals are placing on the jail, Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s buses and trains, and the Parkland Hospital emergency department.—
Tracey McManus,
Dallas Morning News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The result can be overlooking income that must be reported – like a part-time job or side gig, interest from a bank account or sales of stock.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Tesoro beat Dana Hills by 29 points in its first matchup against the Dolphins, but the Titans aren’t overlooking Dana Hills in anticipation for its big game against San Clemente.—
Michael Huntley,
Oc Register,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Therefore, telling the story in graphic form on behalf of Ukrainians themselves, explaining the preconditions for Russia’s attempts to erase Ukraine as a sovereign country and Ukrainians as an ethnic group, became extremely relevant.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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Nicotine use had the strongest impact on heart health, explaining 34% of the link between late bedtime and heart disease.—
Dr. Joseph Wendt,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whitewashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewashing. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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