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
Odessa A'zion is dropping out of a film project just two days after her involvement was announced, citing a whitewashing controversy that took over social media.
—
Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for whitewashing
Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for whitewashing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewashing
Verb
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Some Democrats argue that the cost of ignoring young male voters is higher than the risk of association with Piker.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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But here’s the thing — ignoring your gutters is one of the fastest ways to turn a free weekend project into a budget-wrecking emergency repair.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
31 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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My third was forgiving; there were a lot of critics in the house on my night.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
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My third was forgiving; there were a lot of critics in the house.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Smith, the leading kratom researcher, has said the emphasis on semisynthetic 7-OH is odd because there is no evidence justifying it, and because the natural kratom alkaloid mitragynine still converts to 7-OH during manufacturing and in the body.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
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For CFOs, the challenge is justifying AI spending before returns are visible.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her burial site wasn’t far from where other prehistoric remains have been discovered over the years, on what was once a bluff overlooking the river.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Mar. 2026
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Over on the west coast, in Pizzo Calabro, evenings often revolve around pizza at Forte della Monacella, an absolutely gorgeous restaurant with an outdoor terrace overlooking the sea.—
Jenna Curcio,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Board member David Young suggested the county could devise some kind of explanation or message on the county’s website explaining the reason for the changes, and Gumz asked Lasky to come up with language for a potential disclaimer for the website to be considered by the committee.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
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When asked about the defective cameras in the jail and the lack of a clear timeline explaining how Epstein was able to take his own life, Blanche acknowledged mistakes.—
Erik Ortiz,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Whitewashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewashing. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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