as in failing
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1
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful
most of the participants in the tough training program washed out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in bleaching
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wearing
to use up all the physical energy of
that last illness washed the child out completely
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in rinsing
to pour liquid over or through in order to cleanse
wash out your bathing suit in the sink
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of washing-out
Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
Tiny water droplets can scatter light, washing out the vivid reds and oranges.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
That's it—no waiting and washing out required.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Helene caused catastrophic damage across western North Carolina, washing out roads including stretches of Interstate 40 that collapsed into the Pigeon River Gorge, damaging bridges and isolating entire communities.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2026
Dallas’ defense has been bad on third downs, washing out a resurgent Dak Prescott season (second in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns).
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
But his tendency to swing and miss puts him at risk of washing out.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
This October, a full supermoon has graced our skies, washing out the Draconid meteor shower.
—Big Think, 13 Oct. 2025
Brightness is stunning, colors pop naturally, and dark scenes stay detailed without washing out, which proves to be great for movie nights or gaming marathons.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
Andrew Tate is not washing out.
—Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026
Tiny water droplets can scatter light, washing out the vivid reds and oranges.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2026
That's it—no waiting and washing out required.
—Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026
Helene caused catastrophic damage across western North Carolina, washing out roads including stretches of Interstate 40 that collapsed into the Pigeon River Gorge, damaging bridges and isolating entire communities.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2026
Dallas’ defense has been bad on third downs, washing out a resurgent Dak Prescott season (second in passing yards and third in passing touchdowns).
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2025
But his tendency to swing and miss puts him at risk of washing out.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 25 Oct. 2025
This October, a full supermoon has graced our skies, washing out the Draconid meteor shower.
—Big Think, 13 Oct. 2025
Brightness is stunning, colors pop naturally, and dark scenes stay detailed without washing out, which proves to be great for movie nights or gaming marathons.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 2 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing-out
Adjective
-
The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.—
Noah Alcala Bach,
San Antonio Express-News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
After collapsing on their home floor in the second half of Game 5, the Celtics squandered another chance to close out the underdog Sixers on Thursday, losing 106-93 in Game 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena to even the series at 3-3.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
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In April, two studies noted the critical current is in danger of weakening or even collapsing due to climate change, which could impact the climate and weather for hundreds of millions of people.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
She was also reportedly seen bleaching the inside of her car.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Once in a while, black flats compress the space, framing a single character’s face, bathed in a bleaching white light, as if their vulnerabilities were being scanned by an MRI.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Eli Heidenreich walked down the long corridor, wearing his Navy service dress blues and the emotion of the moment all over his face.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Probably one of the most ingrained is wearing pastels during the spring and summer months, with trendsetters and designers rallying around one specific shade for the past sever seasons.—
Lucía Tejo,
Glamour,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Descaling involves running a vinegar or commercial descaling solution through the machine to flush out mineral buildup, then rinsing it out with multiple water cycles.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Instead of soaking, the seed can also be cleaned by rinsing it under fast, hot running water multiple times.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Most folding bookshelves are made from lightweight materials such as wood, bamboo or metal.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The three units feature the same folding action and design, but certain specs vary.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Pittsburgh opener Mason Montgomery and Justin Lawrence each pitched an inning and Wilber Dotel worked the next four, striking out three.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Strider was excellent in his second rehab outing, striking out eight Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp hitters over 4-1/3 innings.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, commercial-only business districts are fading.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Dust and pollen are quicker to reveal themselves, and wear becomes apparent faster as dark colors are more prone to fading.—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washing-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing-out. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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