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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of whitewash
Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 31 Dec. 2024
The term Cowboy became widely popular for the trade and subsequently was whitewashed to then exclude Black cowhands from the history books.
—Stephanie Tharpe, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
This article by the way, feels more like a whitewash, the authors spent more time writing about Argentina's exploits than the fallout and expectations from the racist and homophobic song sang by the Argentine players.
—Paul Tenorio, The Athletic, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for whitewash 
Verb
Its geometric structure, whitewashed façade, and huge openings suggest that it was built in the last century.
—Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 31 Dec. 2024
The term Cowboy became widely popular for the trade and subsequently was whitewashed to then exclude Black cowhands from the history books.
—Stephanie Tharpe, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
Noun
Back before the infamous 2018 cheating scandal, the macho Australian team would puff their chests out and proclaim series whitewashes among other boasts.
—Tristan Lavalette, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
This article by the way, feels more like a whitewash, the authors spent more time writing about Argentina's exploits than the fallout and expectations from the racist and homophobic song sang by the Argentine players.
—Paul Tenorio, The Athletic, 19 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for whitewash
Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewash
Verb
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Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.Jaina Grey, WIRED, 12 Jan. 2025
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The macOS users who ignore this warning do so at their own peril.Davey Winder, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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After various teachers, administrators and parents raised concerns about the efficacy and age appropriateness of the books, the school system initially allowed students to be excused when the books were read in class.Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
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Prior to the pandemic, Pelosi denied Rep. Tammy Duckworth’s (D-Ill.) request to be excused from in-person voting due to similar concerns in 2014.Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Cirium’s data is a vindication of Southwest’s investment and efforts.Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
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The new Islamic Republic of Iran was vindication for the backward underbelly of a country that had emerged with lightning speed from traditionalism.Mariam Memarsadeghi, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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An east wind will maintain a higher risk of rip currents along the coast, but overall, the holiday period will not see a washout.Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
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On six of those instances, the games were postponed on back-to-back days, including a stretch of three consecutive days of washouts.Chris Kirschner, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Hilarity ensued, and, forgive the spoilers, things did not end up the way everyone may have wanted.Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
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Fassbender may be too obviously statuesque for real spycraft, but his performance of an agent cracking under the weight of existential turmoil is so hypnotic that one forgives the incongruous casting choice.Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In his book Orientalism, Edward Said famously revealed the ways that Western literature had depicted Arabs as exotic, backward, irrational, and in need of guidance—portrayals that served, consciously or not, to justify a colonial mindset toward them.Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2025
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Ignoring basic forest stewardship while crying ‘climate change’ is nothing more than a convenient excuse to justify inaction.Danielle B. Franz, National Review, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Politicians can always find a rationalization to spend taxpayer money on an unending list of needy programs coupled with a self-congratulatory press release.Len Fasano, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2025
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This is a market rationalization, reshuffling what type of company, in what business culture, is fit to stand up and operate a robotaxi fleet.Richard Bishop, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Red Flag Warning Will Remain Until Friday Evening As Blazes Burn More Than 2,000 Structures Google’s Gmail Upgrade—Do Not Lose Your Account Shifting The Blame Leaders often externalize responsibility for setbacks: • The market wasn’t ready.Victoria Vitchenco, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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That would be an uplifting start to a year that could deliver the far right setbacks rather than more victories.Paul Hockenos, TIME, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near whitewash
Cite this Entry
“Whitewash.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewash. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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