WASHES Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

washes 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wash

as in bathes

to flow along or against crystal-clear waters gently wash the island's unspoiled beaches

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Relevance

as in flies

to withstand scrutiny and gain acceptance or approval the employee's story about missing the bus didn't wash with her manager

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as in splashes

to flow in a broken irregular stream soapy water washing down the drain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wets

to make wet rain washed the countryside for days on end

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rinses

to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse washed the baby's hair

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as in stirs

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly she absentmindedly washed her tea by tipping her cup, until the honey was at last mixed in

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washes

2 of 2

noun

plural of wash

as in marshes

spongy land saturated or partially covered with water an invasive species threatening the plants native to the region's washes

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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 washes

Verb

Her absence turned silence is a form of communication, one that symbolically washes her hands of culpability. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2026 On the traditional-spa side, a JetPeel facial using Augustinus Bader products essentially pressure-washes my skin with nutrient-rich serums. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026 Continue reading … CREATOR'S REMORSE — TV legend Oprah washes her hands of any association with Dr Phil or Dr Oz. — FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026 Griffin diligently washes his hands after his dogs lick them, especially before picking up a slice of pizza. — Angela Haupt, Time, 12 Aug. 2026 Rain often washes those chemicals and fertilizers into nearby rivers and streams. — Jayash Paudel, The Conversation, 29 July 2026 Once the water is turned back on, the bread dissolves and simply washes through the plumbing system. — Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 25 July 2026 Brunello Cucinelli kept fits classic (straight legs, slight cuffs) and washes light. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 8 July 2026 The vacuum and mop combo is a hands-free robot that auto-empties dirt into a 3-liter bag, self-washes the mop rollers, and auto-refills the water chamber for the next cleaning session. — Carlos Mejia, PC Magazine, 26 June 2026

Noun

Canadian tuxes often rely on matching washes, say a dark-wash top with matching dark-wash bottoms. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026 From creamy body washes to hard-working antiperspirants, the best Dove products keep skin hydrated and fresh from head to toe, which is why so many of its offerings have taken home tons of Best of Beauty Awards over the years. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 23 Oct. 2026 Creators advocate for a sprig in your shampoo bottle or a spritz of rosemary water between washes, showing off tantalizing before-and-afters. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 23 Oct. 2026 What sets Free People apart, though, is its range of colors, textures, and washes. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 21 Oct. 2026 Robot vacuums have been cleaning carpets for 20-plus years, but the Robotin R2 Pro, out this fall, washes and dries them. — Richard Eisenberg, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Intimate skincare is the category of washes, serums, moisturizers and pH-balanced cleansers made specifically for the vulva, usually priced between $17 and $135. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026 The denim is available to shop now, with indigo washes to come in 2027. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 The same six or seven styles rotate under the spotlight year after year, with only a few new additions or washes, ensuring that our favorite jeans will have their time and place again one day. — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for washes

Verb

The cinematography captures the lush expanse of the desert and bathes the characters in dark blues while never leaving the frame murky, and the use of steadicam and exaggerated zoom-ins plants the film’s feet more firmly in its ’80s inspirations.

— Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2026
Its southern exposure means sun bathes the area on a clear day while the view from the kitchen sink window takes in the beautiful landscaping at the rear of the home.

— James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of bathes

Verb

That’s a good thing, because the Viceroy flies lower than the masts of larger sailboats and much lower than, say, the upper decks of a cruise ship.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2026
The company flies to private terminals in Aspen, Colorado; Los Cabos, Mexico; Los Angeles (Van Nuys); Maui; Miami; New York (Westchester and NYC); and West Palm Beach, Florida.

— Debra Kamin, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of flies

Verb

In this photograph snapped by astronomer José Rodrigues, the Milky Way splashes across the night sky above two telescopes at ESO's La Silla Observatory.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Across the street, the Llano River splashes its way over limestone formations and into reed thickets.

— Pam LeBlanc, Southern Living, 20 July 2026

Definition of splashes

Verb

Per a guide from Nectr, saliva wets the pouch and releases its ingredients, and how much is actually absorbed depends on the formulation and how the pouch is used.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026
Saliva wets the pouch and releases its ingredients between the lip and gum, according to Nectr.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of wets

Verb

Because the pigment sits inside the skin instead of on top of it, this isn’t the same as a swipe of freckle pen that rinses off at night.

— Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Plus, its self-cleaning function rinses the brushroll after each use and dumps the debris into the dirt tank.

— Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 5 Apr. 2026

Definition of rinses

Verb

Skeleton Tree at Rumi’s Kitchen Perfect for the midnight cocktail hour, Rumi’s stirs together a black Manhattan with Persian spice.

— Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Watching polygamous families, Surya says, stirs pity, judgment and empathy in her, as well as fascination with the camaraderie, rivalry and sisterhood between the women.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of stirs

Verb

In Bellorado-Samuels’s own bedroom, the television is stashed under the bed and works by Barkley Hendricks, Sadie Barnett, and Charisse Pearlina Weston take pride of place.

— Sean Santiago, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
Microsoft’s Advanced Shader Delivery works by offloading shader compilation for different hardware combinations to the cloud.

— Tom Warren, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026