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

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

At the same time, textbooks and museums slowly but surely are eliminating or whitewashing the history of slavery. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 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

So what food crimes were these celebs whitewashing with their presence at Live Más Live? — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026

At federal facilities commemorating important moments in the nation’s history, there is a wave of whitewashing rushing through. — Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026

From the whitewashing controversy to the toxic love to the daring costumes, the discourse is going to be discoursing. — Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 13 Feb. 2026