1
as in faded
lacking intensity of color
washed-out blond hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness
feeling washed-out after the endless primary season, the party's nominee needs a vacation more than anything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful
most of the participants in the tough training program washed out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleached
to make white or whiter by removing color
the bright lights of the TV studio washed out her facial features, making her look as white as a ghost
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in killed
to use up all the physical energy of
that last illness washed the child out completely
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rinsed
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse
wash out your bathing suit in the sink
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of washed-out
Sophia Tareen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Intense flash flooding in towns like Wrightwood and Phelan in recent weeks caused devastating mudslides and washed-out roads, forcing people to be rescued by helicopter.
—Zach Boetto, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The magic lies in its warmth, which prevents the face from looking washed-out.
—María Diez, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2025
Images generally have washed-out colors and an overall dark tone.
—PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Lindsay’s nails cause the color of the nail bed to look half white and half red or brown, whereas Terry’s nails cause the nail bed to look mostly white or washed-out, per Cleveland Clinic.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024
This shade leans totally into nude territory without being washed-out.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 July 2024
The picture is bright, though some high-contrast shots of silhouetted objects show slightly muddy or washed-out shadow details; the contours of a lioness against a sunset are slightly indistinct, while trees against a stormy sky are a bit too light.
—PCMAG, 30 May 2024
That addition is particularly important considering users have complained in Samsung's user forums and on Reddit about the current vivid setting appearing too washed-out.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
The plant’s leaf segments look washed out, pale green or yellowish.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Its functionality and small stature play to your aesthetic’s strengths rather than making the room look washed out or cluttered.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2026
The road had washed out due to weather conditions, and was closed on April 13, 2026.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
The third Masters had so much rain that the first round didn't start until Friday, and when Sunday was washed out, the final two rounds were played on Monday.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Strikeouts present an issue, so some in-season adjustments will be necessary to maintain this pace, but any process flaws should get washed out by the optimal hitting environment.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
After rain washed out Saturday’s game — setting up only the Cubs’ second doubleheader against an American League team (2014 against the New York Yankees) — the cold conditions with a wind chill in the 30s didn’t create an ideal hitting environment Sunday.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
The tree removal slowly upset the stability of the soil and the groundwater, eventually leading to the flooding that washed out the Harpers’ driveway, according to the family.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Images incorporated into the mayor’s video showed washed-out or collapsed roads, a car stuck in floodwaters and raging waterways.
—Sophia Tareen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
Intense flash flooding in towns like Wrightwood and Phelan in recent weeks caused devastating mudslides and washed-out roads, forcing people to be rescued by helicopter.
—Zach Boetto, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026
The magic lies in its warmth, which prevents the face from looking washed-out.
—María Diez, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2025
Images generally have washed-out colors and an overall dark tone.
—PC Magazine, 25 July 2025
Lindsay’s nails cause the color of the nail bed to look half white and half red or brown, whereas Terry’s nails cause the nail bed to look mostly white or washed-out, per Cleveland Clinic.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024
This shade leans totally into nude territory without being washed-out.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 July 2024
The picture is bright, though some high-contrast shots of silhouetted objects show slightly muddy or washed-out shadow details; the contours of a lioness against a sunset are slightly indistinct, while trees against a stormy sky are a bit too light.
—PCMAG, 30 May 2024
That addition is particularly important considering users have complained in Samsung's user forums and on Reddit about the current vivid setting appearing too washed-out.
—Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Verb
While child stars come and go, washed out at 15 and forgotten at 20, Michael has withstood intense exposure for eight years—a remarkable feat for any performer.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026
The plant’s leaf segments look washed out, pale green or yellowish.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Apr. 2026
Its functionality and small stature play to your aesthetic’s strengths rather than making the room look washed out or cluttered.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 21 Apr. 2026
The road had washed out due to weather conditions, and was closed on April 13, 2026.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026
The third Masters had so much rain that the first round didn't start until Friday, and when Sunday was washed out, the final two rounds were played on Monday.
—ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026
Strikeouts present an issue, so some in-season adjustments will be necessary to maintain this pace, but any process flaws should get washed out by the optimal hitting environment.
—John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
After rain washed out Saturday’s game — setting up only the Cubs’ second doubleheader against an American League team (2014 against the New York Yankees) — the cold conditions with a wind chill in the 30s didn’t create an ideal hitting environment Sunday.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026
The tree removal slowly upset the stability of the soil and the groundwater, eventually leading to the flooding that washed out the Harpers’ driveway, according to the family.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
-
Jenner opted to wear a pair of faded yellow jeans, a Guizio white tank top and a belly chain.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
22 Apr. 2026
-
For the second time in a week, the Dodgers made a minor-league acquisition of a faded pitching prospect with impressive velocity but poor control.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For homeowners tired of robotic mowers that demand nearly as much effort as traditional ones, the K1 is a genuine upgrade.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Susan Collins is an anemic and tired candidate.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The brief, failed ouster of Altman in 2023 almost collapsed the ChatGPT maker, with investors pressing the board to bring back Altman and employees pledging to quit en masse if the CEO wasn’t reinstated.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Over the past 50 years, the average size of wildlife populations has collapsed by 73% owing to nature loss and climate change.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
However, it should be noted that down should not be bleached or washed with fabric softener.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Here, fabrics are scraped, scratched, patched, bleached, ripped and painted to signify the passage of time.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The assault killed at least seventeen people, including a twelve-year-old boy, wounded dozens, and destroyed buildings.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Berry was taken from a Fort Lauderdale bowling alley, killed and dumped in a Davie canal.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The tongs used to pull hot dogs and taquitos off the eternally turning roller grill didn’t get washed, rinsed and sanitized when in use for four hours.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Recycling bins can get even funkier thanks to sticky bottles or cans that weren’t rinsed thoroughly.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
While visiting Malta with Prince Philip in 1951, the late monarch wore a pale purple beaded gown and fur stole.—
Andrea Wurzburger,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Raspberries won't ripen after being picked, so be careful not to choose underripe ones that are pale.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Feeling a little funky, exhausted or sore can happen for a number of reasons, including perimenopause and menopause.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Tranquility notwithstanding, Suriel was exhausted.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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