WASHES Synonyms: 144 Similar and Opposite Words

washes 1 of 2

verb

Definition of washes next

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

When a body washes ashore in the Long Island vacation town of Amity, police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) tries to close the beaches only to be overruled by the mayor, Vaughn (Murray Hamilton), who fears the loss of tourist revenue. —

David Faris, TheWeek, 29 Apr. 2026 The nonprofit has stepped in after numerous disasters, and washes loads for veterans and families living in cars and hotels. —

Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026 That price includes the robovac’s OMNI Station dock, which empties its dirt bin into a bagless canister, washes its rolling mop with heated, pressurized water, and refills its reservoirs. —

Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 14 Apr. 2026 Indeed, the only black-and-white to be found here is on David Zinn’s thought-provoking set, which washes the abodes of the younger characters in funereal black right down to Suzanna’s hotel bed. —

Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Apr. 2026 Nationally, Martin said, the company washes about 1 million reusable items a month, and each item can be safely washed and reused somewhere around a thousand times. —

Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2026 As McCreary pulls the drapes away from a client's neck one by one, the client can see how each color highlights their skin, hair and eyes, or washes them out. —

Bailey Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026 Rain washes hazardous chemicals out of the atmosphere in a relatively short period of time, experts said, but people exposed to black rain should take precautions to avoid health risks, both short-term and long-term. —

Tammy Webber, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026 And believe me, a person who receives warmth, love, and care from us—who washes and styles their hair—is someone who walks back into the world feeling confident, inspired, and ready to spread kindness further. —

Sophia Panych, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026

Noun

Quick drying and odor-resistant, Athleta’s Salutation Stash High-rise 5-inch Shorts came in handy for active afternoons and easily lasted a few wears between washes. —

Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026 Long-staple, zero-twist cotton textiles remain fluffy after washes, in my experience. —

Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2026 If your pillows are feeling lackluster between washes, tumble dry them on low with no detergent to fluff them up. —

Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 28 Apr. 2026 Between washes, spritz your shower curtain liner after each shower with a mixture of equal parts vinegar and water to prevent mold growth. —

Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026 Faint washes of color and a new sense of depth emerge. —

Shanti Escalante-De Mattei, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026 The brand updated the jean with fresh white, vintage blue and polka dot washes. —

Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 24 Apr. 2026 Choose from a variety of washes and styles including ankle, skinny, flare, straight, and wide leg, plus a skirt and a jacket accented with fringe detail. —

Tory Johnson, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026 The rebrand was a chance to refocus on the best sellers, like body lotions, washes, and scrubs—all of which happen to lend themselves quite well to being refilled. —

Kara McGrath, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for washes

Verb

This mode activates extra horsepower, up to 94 bhp (70 kW), adds fake exhaust noise and bathes the interior in purple light.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Apr. 2026
Natural light bathes the empty third floor which could be an office space or residential units boasting sweeping views of Sacramento’s downtown, according to a request for proposals released by the city.

— Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026