1
2
as in flying
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 splashing
to flow in a broken irregular stream
soapy water washing down the drain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in wetting
to make wet
rain washed the countryside for days on end
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in rinsing
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse
washed the baby's hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in stirring
to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly
she absentmindedly washed her tea by tipping her cup, until the honey was at last mixed in
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 washing
The Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony is a hallmark of every Holy Week and recalls the foot-washing Jesus performed on his 12 apostles at The Last Supper together before he was crucified.
—
ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Experts say that thoroughly washing or peeling sweet potatoes can reduce your pesticide exposure without cutting them out entirely.
—Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2026
An employee put on gloves without washing their hands first, some food in the display case didn’t have a time stamp and mouse droppings were found in the restroom.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
An employee was washing and rinsing dishes.
—Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
Experts say that thoroughly washing or peeling sweet potatoes can reduce your pesticide exposure without cutting them out entirely.
—Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2026
An employee put on gloves without washing their hands first, some food in the display case didn’t have a time stamp and mouse droppings were found in the restroom.
—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026
An employee was washing and rinsing dishes.
—Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for washing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing
Verb
-
One report detailed a staff member bathing a senior who was in hospice care with the window blinds open so that anyone in the garden outside could see.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
These students are building devices to make everyday activities like bathing, playing, and reading more accessible and fun.—
Lauren Crawford,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fort Collins now has drones flying the city nearly every day as a resource to the police, fire and utilities departments.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Meteor showers such as the Lyrids can be tracked yearly, because the debris flying through the night sky in fiery streaks is coming from the same comet.—
Hali Smith
March 31,
Idaho Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The capsule should then spend the next several days journeying back to Earth, before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on April 10.—
Tom Costello,
NBC news,
30 Mar. 2026
-
That capsule went on a looping trip around the moon that lasted over three weeks and covered over a million miles before splashing back down in the Pacific.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Considerations Before Getting Started Before cleaning your sidewalks, gather some basic safety equipment such as gloves and eye protection, and protect plants and grass bordering your sidewalk from bleach and cleaners by wetting them down and covering them with plastic sheeting or old towels.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
13 Mar. 2026
-
When cleaning your upholstered headboard, avoid over-wetting it.—
Kate Van Pelt,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Raw meat was frozen in trash bags and an employee washed dishes without rinsing them.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
2 Apr. 2026
-
An employee was washing and rinsing dishes.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The moody Moon in your 6th House of Effort opposes fiery Mars in your 12th House of Thoughts, stirring urgency around upcoming deadlines, outdated routines, or daily goals.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
When the ale is nearing a boil, put it in another pitcher, pour it very gradually into the pitcher containing the egg mix, while stirring briskly to prevent the eggs from curdling.—
Jay R. Brooks,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This was, according to the charter, arguably the moment when OpenAI might stop competing with other companies and start working with them.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Eco effort This property honors the land around it, working with it and integrating its lava rock wherever possible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The king hosted a banquet for him in a hall dripping with flowers and gold leaf.—
Danica Kirka,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
This is the best that West has ever looked, including every shirtless scene and every time he’s gotten out of the pool dripping wet.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
