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

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

After a public outcry over complaints of whitewashing, A’zion swiftly exited the movie. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 10 Feb. 2026