washing-out 1 of 2

adjective

as in failing

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washing out

2 of 2

verb

present participle of wash out
1
as in collapsing
to be unsuccessful most of the participants in the tough training program washed out

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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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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

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 washing-out
Verb
Physicists used Wilson’s calculations to justify the previously murky mechanics of quantum field theory, which treats each particle as a wave while washing out the less significant effects of the smallest vibrations. — Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026 Rain postponed the start of play, washing out the entire morning session and much of the second. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026 The area has already be hit hard, with floodwaters washing out roads and causing evacuation of homes. — Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2026 The downpour knocked out power to nearly 4,000 residents and caused significant structural damage to infrastructure, including washing out sections of Highway 52 near Hancock Drive. — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Chief among the dangers is climate change that has led to rising seas and erosion washing out oystercatcher nests. — Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026 From choosing different mulch to planting ground covers, read on to learn how to stop mulch from washing out of your flower beds once and for all. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 10 July 2026 Then came this spring’s historic and devastating floods across northern Michigan — in some areas, for the first time anyone can remember — swamping homes, pushing dams to the brink of failure and washing out roadways. — Tammy Webber, Fortune, 23 June 2026 The heavy rain, fueled in part by the remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur, drenched much of the Southeast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle, causing flash flood emergencies, washing out roads, and prompting emergency rescues. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washing-out
  1. failing
  2. collapsing
  3. bleaching
  4. wearing
  5. rinsing
  6. folding
  7. striking out
  8. fading
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
Definition of failing
Verb
  • Summary Volkswagen's unique governance, long prioritizing workers and unions over shareholders, is now unsustainable amid collapsing profits, especially from China, and fierce competition from Chinese EVs.
    — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • After winning historic Latino support in 2024, Trump now faces collapsing approval as mass deportations, economic stagnation and inflammatory messaging like the bus graphic threaten GOP fortunes in the 2026 midterms.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapsing
Verb
  • The researchers first treated the cotton with sodium dithionite, a reducing agent, before bleaching it with hydrogen peroxide under alkaline conditions.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Discoloration to Your Driveway Commercial weed killers can stain driveways by leaving behind white chalky residues, bleaching the stone, or damaging protective surface sealers.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 31 July 2026
Definition of bleaching
Verb
  • Wear it with leggings for a travel outfit that feels a little more elevated than wearing a sweatsuit.
    — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Shoes left at the door, donning slippers to be worn except on tatami mats, wearing yukatas to the onsen and to dinner that night.
    — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of wearing
Verb
  • Although invisible, the bacteria from your cleaning rag (for instance) can easily transfer to other surfaces, even after rinsing.
    — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026
  • For best results, the brand recommends massaging a dollop into the scalp for two full minutes before rinsing it out.
    — Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of rinsing
Adjective
  • Motorola didn’t bother releasing new versions of its non-folding Edge phones in 2026, and if that trend continues, the 2027 devices may be foldables.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Early backers of that Kickstarter campaign faced manufacturing delays and when units arrived, the ultra-light framework’s delicate folding joints struggled on rough urban asphalt.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of folding
Verb
  • Yamamoto puts in a solid start, holding the Braves to four hits and striking out eight over 6⅓ innings.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Josh Lowe failed to get a bunt down, striking out when trying to bunt with two strikes.
    — Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of striking out
Verb
  • As the conflict grinds on, Trump’s talk of finding a quick end to the war also appears to be fading.
    — Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • European banks have shaken off a weak first quarter to notch solid share price gains in the year to date, but Citi analysts warn their momentum may be fading.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fading

Browse Nearby Words

washing one's hands of
washing-out
washing out
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Cite this Entry

“Washing-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washing-out. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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