WHITEN Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

whiten

verb

ˈ(h)wī-tᵊn

Definition of whiten

as in to bleach

to make white or whiter by removing color years of sunlight had almost completely whitened the flag

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 whiten Use baking soda, Bar Keepers Friend, or whitening toothpaste to scrub away coffee stains. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026 As the years have gone on and his hair has whitened, Gere has become nearly as famous for his charity and his spirituality as his acting. — Allen Salkin, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026 Someone who wants whitening to live inside brushing may find the Glossonic setup more relevant. — Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 While a good whitening toothpaste can work to keep stains away on a day-to-day basis, these more potent kits typically use strips, trays, or a pen to deliver their whitening agents—usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide—to your teeth. — Sara Coughlin, Allure, 8 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for whiten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whiten

Verb

However, bright light bleaches that chemical, negatively impacting your night vision.

— Chris McMullen, Space.com, 20 Oct. 2026
But their research findings could open the door to a new intervention to help corals recover from bleaching events.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of bleach

Verb

Brown, though, didn't quite let perception fade away a couple of days later.

— CBS News, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
The question now is whether shoppers counting every dollar will keep paying for products like cashmere-soft diapers once the novelty fades and if inflation keeps biting.

— Phil Wahba, Fortune, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of fade

Verb

His hometown team calling his name on the opening night of the NFL Draft a few months later brightened it.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
The restaurant’s name is a nod to former first lady Lady Bird Johnson, whose legacy includes planting wildflowers along Texas highways to brighten the drive.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026