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

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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 Protect them with shade or by whitewashing the bark. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026 So what food crimes were these celebs whitewashing with their presence at Live Más Live? — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026 From the whitewashing controversy to the toxic love to the daring costumes, the discourse is going to be discoursing. — Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 13 Feb. 2026 However, the other signs of whitewashing — multiple, vague but positive reviews — were not present. — Kathy Kristof, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 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 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 At federal facilities commemorating important moments in the nation’s history, there is a wave of whitewashing rushing through. — Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 16 Feb. 2026 After Young amended the curriculum to remove one definition of slavery for third-graders for redundancy, Clark accused some board members of whitewashing history. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for whitewashing

Verb

Make Participation Effortless Reduce friction to the point where using it feels like less effort than ignoring it.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
For example, today, Americans might believe that the demands of racial equity or of evangelical Christianity are so pressing that executive power would be justified in ignoring the legislature or the judiciary to serve them.

— Robert A. Ballingall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026

Definition of ignoring

Verb

The center also alleges that the APA has put up roadblocks to allowing an official Jewish affinity group to form, while excusing inflammatory language about Zionism from an Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern and North African affinity group.

— Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026
Plus, our governor issued a memo excusing fans from delays caused by celebrating.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026

Definition of excusing

Verb

The article emphasizes that effective communication of difficult decisions requires not only clear explanation but also genuine empathy for how people feel, rather than merely justifying actions.

— Kevin Kruse, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
And yet at the start of the Mass, a priest read aloud a statement justifying the consecrations as a necessary defense of the faith and criticizing how the Catholic Church today had deviated from tradition.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026

Definition of justifying

Verb

Surveillance cameras captured a person dressed in dark clothing on a nearby roof overlooking the courtyard less than ten minutes before the killing, prosecutors said in charging documents.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
That’s adjacent to what is technically a closetless third bedroom, overlooking the leafy treescape, although the listing is staged with it as a separate living room.

— Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 6 July 2026

Definition of overlooking

Verb

Carpino retired in April, without ever explaining what was not right in the organization or, based on the standings, repairing it.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
The traditional experience requires waiting on hold, explaining the situation and hoping an agent can help.

— Shep Hyken, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of explaining

Browse Nearby Words

whitewashes

whitewashing

white water

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Style

“Whitewashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/whitewashing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of whitewashing

verb

Example Sentences

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sanewashing

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