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
Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Neither the removal of a mural nor attempts to whitewash the past can change those facts.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2025
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Darts finals have been won more handsomely — the sport’s all-time great Phil Taylor dished out three 7-0 whitewashes in his heyday — but not like this.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Verb
Traditional towns feature cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, azulejo tiles, red pantiles, and lacework chimney pots.
—Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Neither the removal of a mural nor attempts to whitewash the past can change those facts.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Mar. 2025
Noun
This was total obliteration too, a three-nil whitewash that was clinical and composed.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Darts finals have been won more handsomely — the sport’s all-time great Phil Taylor dished out three 7-0 whitewashes in his heyday — but not like this.
—Tim Spiers, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
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Wallen briefly hugged the actress but seemed to ignore the rest of the cast and quickly walked past view of the camera.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
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However, Catherine was unimpressed by him going overboard — and ignoring the importance of bedside manner — in the clinic.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Behaviors once deemed unacceptable are becoming normalized and excused.—
Toby Wong,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
-
The school board then revised its Religious Diversity Guidelines to limit the circumstances when students can be excused to noncurricular activities or free-time events that conflict with their family's religious practices.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But in the crypto world, it was celebrated as a moment of vindication.—
David Yaffe-Bellany,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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While Duterte's arrest is a moment of vindication for those who have campaigned for the victims of the anti-drugs crackdown, Arguelles says the former president still maintains plenty of support.—
Adam Hancock,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Cinema Saviours After years of the washout of the Covid years, the appearance of Oppenheimer and Barbie, appearing in cinemas at the same time gave us the much talked about ‘Barbenheimer’ phenomenon, with many people choosing to see both films on the same day.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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In fairness, Grier and McDaniel haven’t wasted much money on big-ticket washouts.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Clear communication with borrowers One can forgive borrowers for being confused in this moment.—
Preston Cooper,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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Indeed, you could be forgiven for growing slightly cynical of the big pledges, glossy roadmaps, endless subsidy schemes, and constant climate conferences.—
Antoine Rostand,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As a result, the court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to either determine whether greenhouse gases from new vehicles contribute to climate change, and therefore endanger human health, or justify its refusal to study the issue.—
Hannah Wiseman,
The Conversation,
18 Apr. 2025
-
There are also questions about his logic justifying the policy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Relying heavily on retrospective interviews and self-reporting, these approaches, still widely used in marketing and management, are plagued by recall bias and rationalization.—
Benjamin Voyer,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Bong’s rationalization is that quirky Mickey 17 opposes Mickey 18’s plans to assassinate Niflheim’s fascist developer, Kenneth Marshall, a lousy Trump impersonation by Mark Ruffalo, confirming the film’s predictably leftist political subtext.—
Armond White,
National Review,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Despite the legislative setback, WeCount! is continuing its advocacy work and its ¡Que Calor! campaign.—
Mimi Whitefield,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
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McIlroy responded to all of his setbacks admirably.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
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