1
2
as in flies
to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval
the employee's story about missing the bus didn't wash with her manager
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in splashes
to flow in a broken irregular stream
soapy water washing down the drain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wets
to make wet
rain washed the countryside for days on end
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in marshes
spongy land saturated or partially covered with water
an invasive species threatening the plants native to the region's washes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of washes
Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
My one gripe with trench coats is that the tawny beige shade washes me out.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
Simply hold the brush in place, and sit back as the machine thoroughly washes and dries your bristles within thirty seconds.
—Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2026
Neither washes his hands in the kitchen.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Its funky mysteries flicker in my brain until the perilla sorbet a couple of courses later washes it away.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Her animatronic post-World War II body repetitively washes clothes day in and day out, high above the passing cars near the intersection of Vista Avenue and Overland Road.
—Idaho Statesman, 3 Dec. 2025
This belt bag makes a nice stocking stuffer, while this cotton T-shirt from Lands’ End is made of silky-soft Supima that washes well, per shoppers.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
Another agreed, comparing them to their Spanx AirEssentials set, but saying this one washes better.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2026
Flare and bootcut silhouettes with clean washes signaled a more directional mood.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
With heat, the supergloss formula seals the cuticle and adds a layer of shine that will last up to three washes.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
This year, four new fragrances will debut, as will ancillary products like hand creams, body washes and soaps.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
Even after many washes, these pants maintain their shape and elasticity, according to shoppers.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Available in three versatile washes and sizes 4 to 18, these stylish bottoms have an elastic drawstring waist and functional pockets to hold your belongings.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Eddie Bauer’s home goods are designed to last—and this anti-pill throw is ready to withstand years of washes and still look great.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026
The freezer can also temporarily reduce odors to help get you between washes which is helpful for hand-wash only knits.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
As laundry expert Bree Uebergang explains, the key variations in the two cycles mainly comes down to the amount of agitation involved as the machine washes your items.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
My one gripe with trench coats is that the tawny beige shade washes me out.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
Simply hold the brush in place, and sit back as the machine thoroughly washes and dries your bristles within thirty seconds.
—Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 22 Jan. 2026
Neither washes his hands in the kitchen.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 20 Jan. 2026
Its funky mysteries flicker in my brain until the perilla sorbet a couple of courses later washes it away.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Her animatronic post-World War II body repetitively washes clothes day in and day out, high above the passing cars near the intersection of Vista Avenue and Overland Road.
—Idaho Statesman, 3 Dec. 2025
This belt bag makes a nice stocking stuffer, while this cotton T-shirt from Lands’ End is made of silky-soft Supima that washes well, per shoppers.
—Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025
Another agreed, comparing them to their Spanx AirEssentials set, but saying this one washes better.
—Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
The selection features body washes and creams, hand soaps and sanitizers, fine fragrance mists, lip glosses, candles, and decorative accessories.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2026
Flare and bootcut silhouettes with clean washes signaled a more directional mood.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
With heat, the supergloss formula seals the cuticle and adds a layer of shine that will last up to three washes.
—Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
This year, four new fragrances will debut, as will ancillary products like hand creams, body washes and soaps.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026
Even after many washes, these pants maintain their shape and elasticity, according to shoppers.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
Available in three versatile washes and sizes 4 to 18, these stylish bottoms have an elastic drawstring waist and functional pockets to hold your belongings.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Eddie Bauer’s home goods are designed to last—and this anti-pill throw is ready to withstand years of washes and still look great.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Feb. 2026
The freezer can also temporarily reduce odors to help get you between washes which is helpful for hand-wash only knits.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washes
Verb
-
In the wilderness, to a strummy, whistling score, Dunk bathes in a stream and beats his clothes against a rock.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The atrium bathes the interior in sunlight, while fun wallpaper, warm millwork, and an abundance of texture pay homage to the past.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
When a mosquito comes and bites him, the bug immediately tastes the spice in his blood and flies away only to combust moments later.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Five cookline flies and two dishwasher area flies were landing on kitchen walls and shelves.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Effective medical alert devices must be in good working condition when a shower, rain, or accidental submersion splashes them.—
Craig Lebrau,
USA Today,
19 Jan. 2026
-
Eddie then opens the paint can, splashes it onto the graffiti, and gets into an argument with the store security guard for making a mess in the parking lot.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Sweat that can’t escape wets a jacket’s layer of insulation and accelerates heat loss.—
Longji Cui,
The Conversation,
26 Dec. 2025
-
But the comedy is absolutely something that wets my beak, I'm drawn to it.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The pH-balanced formula effectively lifts away makeup, bacteria, and daily buildup, then rinses off easily without leaving residue behind.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The black hole also actively pushes and stirs the galactic gas and dust.—
Paul Sutter,
Space.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The script also stirs in a BDSM tryst between two servants in a stable.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
An industrial landscape gives way to vast marshes spliced by curving waterways.—
Kara Newman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens In the coastal marshes of North Carolina, in a fictional town called Barkley Cove, lives Kya Clark.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The average American now works about four years longer than during the 1980s, according to Gallup polling.—
Paige Winfield Cunningham The Washington Post,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Containing everyday shoes is one of the trickiest feats in a home, but a system that works for the whole family keeps the chaos contained.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washes. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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