1
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance
refused to whitewash the governor's chronic disregard for the truth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to excuse
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
1
as in vindication
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in washout
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of whitewash
Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Last month, Brendan Ballou, one of the Jan. 6 prosecutors who resigned after Trump took office told CBS News the pardons and firings were an effort to whitewash history.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 May 2025
Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025
This whitewash has not altered Farke’s opinion on reinforcements.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Verb
Qatar, where women have to get permission from their male guardians to do things like go to college, and where a non-zero number of their nationals have been sanctioned by our government for their ties to ISIS and Qaeda terror financing, has been trying to whitewash its reputation for a while.
—Carlo Versano, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Last month, Brendan Ballou, one of the Jan. 6 prosecutors who resigned after Trump took office told CBS News the pardons and firings were an effort to whitewash history.
—Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 2 May 2025
Noun
Etch Design Group This thoughtfully crafted kitchen by Etch Design Group features natural white oak cabinetry with a custom whitewash finish, a waterfall-edge island, and a seamless Calacatta Caldia marble countertop—expertly sealed for beauty and durability.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025
This whitewash has not altered Farke’s opinion on reinforcements.
—Beren Cross, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
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What can also be said with certainty, however, is that — even ignoring, for one moment, the events that brought him to Chelmsford crown court in Essex, east of London — this is a story of what might have been.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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And while the shelter has been sharing his story for months now, the cat with soulful eyes keeps getting ignored.—
TJ Macias,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
Verb
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This creates a tension between excusing and exempting abuse.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
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But for her, the speculation doesn’t excuse what came next.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
29 May 2025
Noun
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While questions over mentality will be assessed, players’ physical levels showed a marked improvement, offering a sense of vindication for the coaching staff.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
-
Andre Ventura, Chega’s founder and leader, saw the outcome as vindication for his war against the establishment parties.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Elsewhere, Philadelphia is expecting a rainy morning and New York City will have occasional showers through the afternoon, but a washout is not expected today.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
21 May 2025
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Or the man who outlasted a near washout at Augusta to win the 2023 Masters in a runaway.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
Verb
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But all those terms are — forgive the pun — on the outs.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2025
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After the season Manchester United has endured, the club’s fans could be forgiven for wanting the campaign to end.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
Verb
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But as cloud spend goes up, the need to justify cost efforts and demonstrate cost avoidance to execs will increase.—
Adrian Bridgwater,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
His breezy accounts betray no anxiety to justify the expense of sending him around the world.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Rinehart, 71, doesn't just want to watch a portfolio, but has pushed for the rationalization of the industry, to better compete with China.—
Christopher Helman,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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The Treasury secretary’s rationalization for Trump’s whims wouldn’t pass an undergrad econ exam.—
Veronique de Rugy,
National Review,
7 May 2025
Noun
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Zelensky said the setbacks for the Kremlin would help force it to the negotiating table, even as its pursues a summer offensive on the battlefield.—
Mehmet Guzel,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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Zelenskyy said the setbacks for the Kremlin would help force it to the negotiating table, even as its pursues a summer offensive on the battlefield.—
Mehmet Guzel,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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