WHITEWASHING Synonyms: 57 Similar and Opposite Words

whitewashing

verb

Definition of whitewashing

present participle of whitewash

as in ignoring

to dismiss as of little importance refused to whitewash the governor's chronic disregard for the truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in excusing

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

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 whitewashing To freshmen from then to now, whitewashing the rock(s) before the season has tended to create a sense of belonging and ownership. — Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Japan’s Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum has been accused of whitewashing the country’s wartime past. — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 29 July 2026 The overnight removal and replacement of the panels, steps from Independence Hall, sparked outrage from Philadelphia officials and activists who say federal authorities are whitewashing the city’s history of slavery. — Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026 Clark accused some board members of whitewashing history after Young amended the curriculum to remove one definition of slavery for third-graders, citing redundancy. — Rachel Royster. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026 At the same time, textbooks and museums slowly but surely are eliminating or whitewashing the history of slavery. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026 However, the other signs of whitewashing — multiple, vague but positive reviews — were not present. — Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026 Protect them with shade or by whitewashing the bark. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026 Some view the men's team as complicit in whitewashing the Iranian government's repression and can’t bear to watch the competition. — ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewashing

Verb

Cameron Berg, who founded the nonprofit Reciprocal Research to study the potential for AI consciousness, argues that ignoring the question could carry its own dangers.

— Eliza Strickland, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2026
With nearly 70% of listeners now consuming video podcasts, treating an interview as just a microphone chat means ignoring how your audience actually consumes content.

— Victoria Usher, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of ignoring

Verb

The remarkably, borderline unbelievably forgiving Adams became good friends with her ex-husband.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
But after Gouken’s tragic murder — the particulars will eventually be revealed in flashbacks — Ken and Ryu went their separate ways, Ken never forgiving Ryu for failing to save Gouken’s life.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of forgiving

Verb

The centerpiece of the policy originally was his use of a 1977 law to declare America's longstanding trade deficits a national emergency, justifying double-digit tariffs on almost every country on Earth.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Advocacy groups are fighting to unseal the OLC’s memo justifying the deadly boat strikes in international waters.

— Perry Stein, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of justifying

Verb

On a slight hill, wooden bench swings hover over the ground, overlooking many of the park’s trails.

— Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026
Tinies Tinies in South Main Village offers a patio and upstairs terrace overlooking downtown Fort Worth.

— Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of overlooking

Verb

The old boy was perfectly reasonable, explaining the difference between federal reimbursement and state reimbursement, and the speed that agencies move on the different levels.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
As this is a Lynch film, explaining the rest of the plot would be a pointless exercise, but expect plentiful violence, stylish surrealism, and a road movie that’ll shock and delight in equal measure.

— Daisy Jones, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of explaining

Browse Nearby Words

whitewashes

whitewashing

white water

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Whitewashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewashing. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of whitewashing

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

sanewashing

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A New Meaning of 'Whitewashing'

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