dirty laundry

noun

Synonyms of dirty laundry next

: private matters whose public exposure brings distress and embarrassment

called also dirty linen

Examples of dirty laundry in a Sentence

The company is trying to keep its dirty laundry from being aired in public.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Modern Perspectives on Laundry Sorting With the growing popularity of large-capacity front-loading washers in the late 1990s, consumers welcomed the possibility of washing all of the dirty laundry in the hamper at the same time. —

Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 15 May 2026 This clever method provides a sleek solution to hide your dirty laundry while keeping everything organized in one place. —

Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026 Instead of tossing dirty laundry in a corner of a bedroom, store it neatly in a wicker hamper that’s perfectly designed to fit in any 90-degree angle. —

Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 20 Apr. 2026 Portnoy agreed that one of them just needs to air out their dirty laundry. —

Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dirty laundry

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of dirty laundry was in 1863

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Dirty laundry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirty%20laundry. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

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