as in low
belonging to the class of people of low social or economic rank
a TV producer who knew what the unwashed masses wanted—and unhesitatingly gave it to them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in masses
people looked down upon as ignorant and of the lowest class
Aunt Edna was fond of snootily reminding us that we need not take our manners from the great unwashed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unwashed
Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Refrigerate unwashed, in plastic bag in refrigerator crisper drawer generally up to 7 days.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 1 Jan. 2025
Another option to assess training intensity is to look at how the unwashed masses train: to sift through reams of data looking for the patterns and variables that predict the best race performances.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 31 Dec. 2024
Besides the health concerns, unwashed skin simply doesn’t look its best.
—Lauryn Higgins, Time, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwashed
Adjective
The brainwashed can’t conceive of themselves as brainwashed; to do so would indicate that the brain remains unwashed.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
Refrigerate unwashed, in plastic bag in refrigerator crisper drawer generally up to 7 days.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 1 Jan. 2025
Another option to assess training intensity is to look at how the unwashed masses train: to sift through reams of data looking for the patterns and variables that predict the best race performances.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 31 Dec. 2024
Besides the health concerns, unwashed skin simply doesn’t look its best.
—Lauryn Higgins, Time, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unwashed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unwashed
Adjective
-
Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
6 July 2025
-
Trim the lower branches of your hydrangea to allow air to circulate at ground level.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 July 2025
Adjective
-
Yet Empire Falls translates into a lumpen, stodgy miniseries, despite a fine central performance from Harris as a divorced diner owner with deep roots in the town and a structure that allows the past to keep informing and enriching the present.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2024
-
Rhys spent decades, often isolated and paranoid, in lumpen houses and apartments in and out of London, before success arrived late.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
20 June 2022
Noun
-
There was little-to-no doubt Jurgen Klopp’s side were going to defeat Ralf Rangnick’s under-interim-management rabble that day.—
Carl Anka,
The Athletic,
4 Jan. 2025
-
Advertisement From start to finish, pure madness, amid a rabble that never calmed, never quieted, never quit.—
Bill Plaschke,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
His work is characterized by deep empathy, personal involvement, and quiet, humble observation.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
-
Other successes like Mark Cuban and Keke Palmer, who similarly came from humble beginnings, echo his frugal habits and anxieties.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The 2020 Pew study found that Reform Jews are 37% of the American Jewish populace, followed by Jews that claim no particular branch — 32% —and then Conservatives at 17% .—
Michael Weissenstein,
Los Angeles Times,
2 July 2025
-
Even before the expiration of the war's longest ceasefire in March, Trump has repeatedly issued dramatic ultimatums to pressure Hamas to agree to longer pauses in the fighting that would see the release of more hostages and a return of more aid to Gaza's civilian populace.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Below that sits the pedestrian CLK 500 and plebeian CLK 350.—
Jeremy Korzeniewski,
Robb Report,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Across the lake, on the plebeian side, up the shoreline a mile or so, in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, stand twin 32-story towers dubbed Trump Plaza of the Palm Beaches.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Carlyle took United Defense public in 2001 and fully exited in 2004, making more than $1 billion in profit.—
Luisa Beltran,
Fortune,
3 July 2025
-
Media, public await immigrant advocates' news conference More than 50 people gathered, including several media outlets and members of the public, outside First Lutheran Church at 113 Eighth Ave.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Somehow, this respectable foe of radicalism had organized the political realignment that broke up the Union, sustained the war that overthrew the South’s ruling class, and managed the struggle that emancipated its proletariat.—
Matthew Karp,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
-
As is the case with the aesthetics of people, exquisite lines can be found on patrician and proletariat cars alike.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unwashed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unwashed. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share