1
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
the supposedly rich rose she had chosen for the house unexpectedly came out a washy pinkish shade
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thin
not containing very much of some important element
the economy needs some strong medicine right now, and our leaders are offering only washy gruel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 washy
Prime Minister Conte, a lawyer, prefers looping, legalistic, wishy-washy sentences.
—
Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2020
Despite the occasional box-checking, wishy-washy comment slapping Beijing on the wrist for the worst of its abuses, the reality is that the former vice president’s support of the People’s Republic of China is deep and longstanding.
—Tom Cotton, National Review, 11 Mar. 2020
What wasn’t though was the wishy-washy nature laced along the rest of that news release.
—oregonlive, 30 Jan. 2020
Joe Biden’s wishy-washy foreign policy record could be a liability for him in the wake of President Trump’s ordered strike that killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.
—Emily Larsen, Washington Examiner, 7 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for washy
Jason Horowitz, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2020
Despite the occasional box-checking, wishy-washy comment slapping Beijing on the wrist for the worst of its abuses, the reality is that the former vice president’s support of the People’s Republic of China is deep and longstanding.
—Tom Cotton, National Review, 11 Mar. 2020
What wasn’t though was the wishy-washy nature laced along the rest of that news release.
—oregonlive, 30 Jan. 2020
Joe Biden’s wishy-washy foreign policy record could be a liability for him in the wake of President Trump’s ordered strike that killed Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani.
—Emily Larsen, Washington Examiner, 7 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for washy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washy
Adjective
-
Actress Letitia Wright attended a Prada event in a faded denim and leather jacket.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That fall, an old friend reached out to my father through the underground communications network, dialling a number printed on a faded piece of plastic Dymo tape and speaking to him from a public phone booth.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While that advice refers primarily to metal utensils, the same principles apply across materials, especially where thin construction can increase the risk of breakage.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Not only did that article form the basis of the film, but Lumet actually took the note and cast Pacino in the role of that dark, thin fellow.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hours and hours of rolling green hills and rice paddies passed by the windows, the pale pools amid the shoots flashing bits of sky.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Many of the biblical references, including the rider of the pale horse, come from the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, which is ostensibly about the second coming of Christ and judgment day.—
City News Service,
Oc Register,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In total, Microsoft has invested $13 billion in OpenAI and, at the time of the AI company’s restructuring in October, disclosed that its 27% diluted stake in the for-profit part of the organization was valued at $135 billion.—
Lora Kolodny,Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
-
To prolong their lifespan, plastic cutting boards can be put in the dishwasher for cleaning; wooden ones can be cleaned with a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The vast majority of plants carry out photosynthesis to transform light energy into chemical energy, which is the way that virtually all energy in the biosphere becomes available to living things (including us humans).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Marion said there is currently no land within the village that’s zoned as a data center district or a light industrial district.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
-
For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering.—
Robert F. Service,
Science | AAAS,
3 Sep. 2020
Adjective
-
Hochheiser, who could not return to his condo due to a mold infestation, said one dull day melted into another at Villa Rosa III.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Found Sound is a story about two kids, Felix and Marigold, and a seemingly dull summer vacation that’s upended when the kids find an old wooden box that says OPEN ME.—
Caroline Carlson,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washy. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
