as in disaster
something that has failed
the fashion designer's last showing was a complete washout
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to collapse
to be unsuccessful
most of the participants in the tough training program washed out
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to bleach
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 to wear
to use up all the physical energy of
that last illness washed the child out completely
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of washout
Simon Spichak, Health, 20 Aug. 2025
The bridge over the stormwater culvert has not yet been fixed, but the River Park was able to repair the trail washout and put in a small detour.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
That group includes a Hall of Famer like Andre Dawson and players who washed out by age 30, like Hank Blalock and Yasiel Puig.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for washout
Noun
Participants used an air purifier fitted with either a HEPA or non-HEPA filter for a month each, with a month-long washout period in between when no air purifier was used.
—Simon Spichak, Health, 20 Aug. 2025
The bridge over the stormwater culvert has not yet been fixed, but the River Park was able to repair the trail washout and put in a small detour.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
There are some stains that don’t wash out.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Aug. 2025
That group includes a Hall of Famer like Andre Dawson and players who washed out by age 30, like Hank Blalock and Yasiel Puig.
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for washout
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washout
Noun
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Bureau staff were told the group itself, already gutted as part of mass layoffs at the State Department in July, would refocus on migration diplomacy and disaster response rather than its traditional refugee focus.—
Ted Hesson,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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That question frames an episode that opens not with battle, but with the kind of stillness that comes before disaster.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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By this time, the Soviet Union had collapsed, leading Manuylov to start a business in the candy trade.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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Luckily, the airport had a failsafe in the form of a ground material designed to collapse under the plane's weight and stop it in its tracks.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The coral, now bleached, is alive, but slowly starving.—
Denise Hruby,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
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For example, coral reefs are bleaching more often and dying due to ocean warming and acidification, undermining fisheries, marine biodiversity and economic sectors such as tourism.—
Lauren Gifford,
Space.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The photo released shows what appears to be a man wearing a largely black outfit with an American flag on his shirt, a black cap, and black sunglasses.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
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Posing next to Colman Domingo and Salma Hayek Pinault (who wore an elegant black Balenciaga suit dress), Moore’s glitzy look shone.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Turn the towel over and rinse each stain out with warm or hot water.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
8 Sep. 2025
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And make sure to rinse any nursing pads that have been soaked through with milk before placing them in the washing machine.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Wilson argued the Charlotte attack resulted from several failures, from lax ticket enforcement to reliance on private security, rather than policies from Cooper’s tenure.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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Now, as a photojournalist working with the Kansas City Defender and as the creator of the upcoming podcast Fountain City Files, Harrison focuses on stories involving missing Black women, systemic failures in law enforcement and community neglect.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The panel studying those cases released a report last year describing how the state child welfare agency missed warning signs and failed to protect dozens of children from dying of the illicit drug.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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Ultimately, the Bundys and five others were acquitted of all charges after jurors said prosecutors failed to prove their intent.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Midnight blue, a heavier shade, has been favored in recent years as the summer fades and fall approaches.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
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As the sun set over the East River, the music faded but the warmth lingered.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Washout.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washout. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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