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
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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
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
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Gap High-Rise Wide-Leg Jeans These wide-leg jeans are designed in a light blue wash with whiskered and faded details, and flared, bell-like hems.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
-
While the original, faded version of the Declaration is housed at the National Archives, the copy in the Oval Office appears to feature clear and legible text.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Here is a puzzle that should bring back memories for many solvers: settling down into a spacious middle seat, groping for seatbelts, suffering through the same tired safety notices.—
Sam Corbin,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2025
-
In their best offensive performance of the season against an admittedly tired and overmatched opponent, the Warriors had season highs in points and assists (42) and committed only 13 turnovers.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
1 Apr. 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
-
Later, the abject widow is found huddled with her relatives in the pale curve of an empty swimming pool, a glowing charcoal imbaula nearby to keep them warm.—
Namwali Serpell,
The New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2025
-
The color of rhubarb can naturally vary from pale pink to deep red depending on the variety and how it was grown; the deep red stalks will give you the most stunning color, but the green stalks are perfectly tasty as well. Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar in this recipe to your taste.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Across industries, burnout and disengagement have become the defining crises of the modern workforce, leaving leaders and employees alike wondering: why is everyone so exhausted?—
Patricia Grabarek and Katina Sawyer,
TIME,
25 Mar. 2025
-
While primarily measured in his actions, Cromwell is outwardly exhausted.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But those attempts have failed, most recently in 2019, and Florida has persisted with its harsh penalties.—
Shirsho Dasgupta,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The off-duty officer was riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle westbound when the driver of the Accord failed to yield the right-of-way and turned in front of the motorcycle, a DPS spokesperson said in a news release.—
Amy McDaniel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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