1
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
washed-out blond hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
feeling washed-out after the endless primary season, the party's nominee needs a vacation more than anything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful
most of the participants in the tough training program washed out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleached
to make white or whiter by removing color
the bright lights of the TV studio washed out her facial features, making her look as white as a ghost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wore
to use up all the physical energy of
that last illness washed the child out completely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rinsed
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse
wash out your bathing suit in the sink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of washed-out
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024
This shade leans totally into nude territory without being washed-out.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 July 2024
The picture is bright, though some high-contrast shots of silhouetted objects show slightly muddy or washed-out shadow details; the contours of a lioness against a sunset are slightly indistinct, while trees against a stormy sky are a bit too light.
—PCMAG, 30 May 2024
That addition is particularly important considering users have complained in Samsung's user forums and on Reddit about the current vivid setting appearing too washed-out.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Although colors aren’t reference-monitor accurate, the lifelike hues and sharp edges on words and textures create a high-quality image that doesn’t look artificially saturated or washed-out like on similar portable monitors.
—Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2023
Adjective
Lindsay’s nails cause the color of the nail bed to look half white and half red or brown, whereas Terry’s nails cause the nail bed to look mostly white or washed-out, per Cleveland Clinic.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024
This shade leans totally into nude territory without being washed-out.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 July 2024
The picture is bright, though some high-contrast shots of silhouetted objects show slightly muddy or washed-out shadow details; the contours of a lioness against a sunset are slightly indistinct, while trees against a stormy sky are a bit too light.
—PCMAG, 30 May 2024
That addition is particularly important considering users have complained in Samsung's user forums and on Reddit about the current vivid setting appearing too washed-out.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Although colors aren’t reference-monitor accurate, the lifelike hues and sharp edges on words and textures create a high-quality image that doesn’t look artificially saturated or washed-out like on similar portable monitors.
—Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
Groom indoor foliage to remove old leaves, faded flowers and declining portions.—
Tom MacCubbin,
Orlando Sentinel,
1 Feb. 2025
-
To reach the overlook, look for a faded path that climbs the hill to the right.—
Pam LeBlanc,
Southern Living,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Proud parents who have sacrificed so much, tired and eager to get home.—
Erin Hill,
People.com,
30 Jan. 2025
-
Soto said this can pose safety issues when workers become tired after working eight hour shifts back to back.—
William Melhado,
Sacramento Bee,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Yet his regime collapsed within days of the start of a coordinated rebel offensive.—
Hamidreza Azizi,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Dec. 2024
-
The 150ft section of the pier that collapsed, which included a restroom, was being worked on after it had been damaged by storms in the past.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Start with Massimo Dutti’s maroon, light blue, and pale yellow striped polo, then, layer it atop Gucci’s khaki cargo skirt and Adidas SL 72 sneakers to match.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The comedian and actress wore a pale pink caped dress cinched with a gold belt by Sachin & Babi. 07 of 12 Molly Sims Molly Sims attended the Kinda Pregnant premiere in a black Marchesa midi dress with a plunging off-the-shoulder neckline.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In an interview with CNN from her home in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Hassanein appeared frail and exhausted.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN,
23 Jan. 2025
-
But falling into a hire for reasons of comfort alone is going to be tough to sell for a franchise that’s exhausted by the comfortable status quo.—
Saad Yousuf,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Sebastian Stan, who won the Best Male Actor in a Musical or Comedy Golden Globe for a A Different Man, also failed to secure a SAG nomination.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former CTU organizer who was elected on the grateful largesse of the union, has fought CPS at every turn but failed in his attempt to banish schools CEO Pedro Martinez.—
Laura Washington,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Hollis brightened the beige-on-beige hallway entrance to her apartment by hanging a wreath of flowers on her brown door.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
-
Hotter and brighter than the sun The OGLE data revealed several objects in the LMC and SMC that brightened by between 10 and 20 times over the course of a few months.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
There was a lot of talk about Aaron Rodgers being washed.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
6 Jan. 2025
-
Separately, norovirus outbreaks can also spring from food that was contaminated at the source and that’s often eaten raw, like shellfish harvested from virus-laden water or produce washed with it.—
Maggie O'Neill,
SELF,
6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near washed-out
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share