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
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Recent Examples of washed-out
PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
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
Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The festival was washed out by weather, promised luxury accommodations and food were nowhere to be found (except for some pathetic cheese sandwiches), and guests only stayed one night of what was supposed to be a two-week experience.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
That means your weekend plans could be washed out.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
College football is littered with stories of five-star recruits who have washed out.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The author also criticized a method of averaging results that washed out other temperature features, such as the medieval warming period.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But this will result in the bright yellow leaves being over exposed and washed out.
—Mike De Sisti, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
In my limited time with the device, the screen was easy to see indoors, but it got washed out in direct sunlight.
—Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
After this year’s July 17 storm, during which between 7 and 11 inches of rain fell over Wyandotte County, public works staff found blockages in the roads, areas that were washed out, at least 40 downed trees and erosion throughout the area.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Images generally have washed-out colors and an overall dark tone.
—PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
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
Verb
That's a sky where the Milky Way is very weak or invisible near the horizon and looks rather washed out overhead.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The festival was washed out by weather, promised luxury accommodations and food were nowhere to be found (except for some pathetic cheese sandwiches), and guests only stayed one night of what was supposed to be a two-week experience.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
That means your weekend plans could be washed out.
—Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
College football is littered with stories of five-star recruits who have washed out.
—Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
The author also criticized a method of averaging results that washed out other temperature features, such as the medieval warming period.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
But this will result in the bright yellow leaves being over exposed and washed out.
—Mike De Sisti, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025
In my limited time with the device, the screen was easy to see indoors, but it got washed out in direct sunlight.
—Iyaz Akhtar, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
After this year’s July 17 storm, during which between 7 and 11 inches of rain fell over Wyandotte County, public works staff found blockages in the roads, areas that were washed out, at least 40 downed trees and erosion throughout the area.
—Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
Williams, in a faded plaid shirt, gray hair sprouting from under a John Deere hat, paced.—
Molly Parker,
ProPublica,
4 Sep. 2025
-
While some might have a faded tie-dye shirt in the back of their closet and listen to the occasional Grateful Dead album, seniors across the spectrum are turning to cannabis—many for the first time.—
Peter Su,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Reed got her first gig at Cataloochee at the age of 19 in 1996 and has never tired of the work.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Manning’s inefficiency was on full display, and the Longhorns faithful grew tired of it during the first half.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Smith’s extended lunge was needed as Chapman’s throw barely beat Pages’ speed, but Smith instantly collapsed onto his side.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As usual, Florida’s offense looked stagnant and rarely gave the sophomore quarterback good options before his pocket collapsed.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The coral, now bleached, is alive, but slowly starving.—
Denise Hruby,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
-
The only thing not bleached was, luckily, his face.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Posing next to Colman Domingo and Salma Hayek Pinault (who wore an elegant black Balenciaga suit dress), Moore’s glitzy look shone.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The shooter wore dark clothing and fired from a building roof some distance away to the courtyard where the event at which Kirk was speaking took place.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Once rinsed off, your pores are inexplicably less noticeable and your face ridiculously refreshed.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
After complaining of pain, Nelson continues, Dakar rinsed off the solution and gave her a fan to cool her face down.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With pale, irregular surfaces dotted with black bits of char, the homely slabs aren’t much to look at, but the first bite packs a big smoky punch that only grows with each subsequent chew.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Create a neutral fall display by grouping elegant white and pale-orange pumpkins.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The director noticed that the exhausted Sheen couldn't keep his eyes open even when cameras were rolling.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The result is not just one exhausted employee, but a system that steadily depletes its people.—
Sandro da Silva,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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