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Definitions

whitewashing

[wahyt-wosh-ing, -waw-shing, hwahyt-] / ˈwaɪtˌwɒʃ ɪŋ, -ˌwɔ ʃɪŋ, ˈʰwaɪt- /
ADJECTIVE
extenuating
Synonyms
STRONG
condoning diminishing justifying lessening mitigating moderating palliating qualifying reducing sanitizing softening varnishing
NOUN
coat
Synonyms
STRONGEST
coating layer
STRONG
bark crust finish glaze gloss lacquer lamination overlay painting plaster priming roughcast set tinge varnish wash
NOUN
defeat
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beating blow breakdown collapse debacle destruction drubbing embarrassment failure killing loss massacre rout setback thrashing triumph
STRONG
KO ambush annihilation break check conquest count discomfiture extermination fall lacing licking mastery paddling rebuff repulse reverse ruin scalping shellacking slaughter subjugation trap trashing trimming trouncing waxing whaling whipping
WEAK
defeasance downthrow insuccess nonsuccess vanquishment
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accomplishment achievement boon success win
STRONG
surrender yielding
WEAK
attainment mastery victory
NOUN
justification
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apology approval argument basis confirmation explanation pretext rationale rationalization vindication
STRONG
absolution account acquittal advocacy answer apologia cop-out defense exculpation exoneration extenuation grounds idea mitigation palliation palliative plea rebuttal reply response sanctification story support validation warrant wherefore
WEAK
raison d'être song and dance whatfor whole idea why and wherefore
Antonyms
STRONGEST
charge indictment opposition
STRONG
question request sentence
NOUN
licking
Synonyms
STRONGEST
whipping
STRONG
KO ambush annihilation beating blow break breakdown check collapse conquest count debacle destruction discomfiture drubbing embarrassment extermination failure fall killing lacing loss massacre mastery overthrow paddling rebuff repulse reverse rout ruin scalping setback shellacking slaughter subjugation thrashing trap trashing trimming triumph trouncing waxing whaling
WEAK
defeasance downthrow insuccess nonsuccess vanquishment
Antonyms
STRONG
accomplishment achievement boon building construction creation forfeit good fortune loss rise success surrender victory win yielding
NOUN
thrashing
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annihilation beating conquest debacle drubbing rout trouncing whipping
STRONG
KO ambush blow break breakdown check collapse count destruction discomfiture embarrassment extermination failure fall killing lacing licking loss massacre mastery overthrow paddling rebuff repulse reverse ruin scalping setback shellacking slaughter subjugation trap trashing trimming triumph waxing whaling
WEAK
defeasance downthrow insuccess nonsuccess vanquishment
Antonyms
STRONG
accomplishment achievement building construction creation good fortune rise success win
NOUN
vanquishment
Synonyms
WEAK
KO ambush annihilation beating blow break breakdown check collapse conquest count debacle defeasance destruction discomfiture downthrow drubbing embarrassment extermination failure fall insuccess killing lacing licking loss massacre mastery nonsuccess overthrow paddling rebuff repulse reverse rout ruin scalping setback shellacking slaughter subjugation thrashing trap trashing trimming triumph trouncing waxing whaling whipping
NOUN
waterloo
Synonyms
STRONG
annihilation beating collapse conquest drubbing failure fall licking massacre overthrow rout slaughter thrashing trouncing waxing whipping
WEAK
crushing defeat shellacking trashing vanquishment
Antonyms
STRONG
rise success win

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The whitewashing of the wall has also been questioned by some who pointed out that maybe this approach was missing the point.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

When the New York Times profiled Ms. Rodríguez as a “moderate,” a backlash erupted: Thousands on X ridiculed the paper for whitewashing her bloodstained record.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

And I agree with Coates when he criticized Klein for whitewashing Charlie Kirk’s legacy, and agree that while we should not celebrate a person’s death, we also shouldn’t paper over who they were in life.

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025

I’m not in any way whitewashing what I did, but some people have been kind and compassionate.

From Salon • Feb. 8, 2024

The men whitewashing the rocks made no sounds.

From "Sounder" by William H. Armstrong