1
as in faded
lacking intensity of color washed-out blond hair
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2
as in tired
depleted in strength, energy, or freshness feeling washed-out after the endless primary season, the party's nominee needs a vacation more than anything
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1
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful most of the participants in the tough training program washed out
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2
as in bleached
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 killed
to use up all the physical energy of that last illness washed the child out completely
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4
as in rinsed
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 washed-out
Sophia Tareen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026 Intense flash flooding in towns like Wrightwood and Phelan in recent weeks caused devastating mudslides and washed-out roads, forcing people to be rescued by helicopter. —Zach Boetto, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026 The magic lies in its warmth, which prevents the face from looking washed-out. —María Diez, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2025 Images generally have washed-out colors and an overall dark tone. —PC Magazine, 25 July 2025 Lindsay’s nails cause the color of the nail bed to look half white and half red or brown, whereas Terry’s nails cause the nail bed to look mostly white or washed-out, per Cleveland Clinic. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024 This shade leans totally into nude territory without being washed-out. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 July 2024 The picture is bright, though some high-contrast shots of silhouetted objects show slightly muddy or washed-out shadow details; the contours of a lioness against a sunset are slightly indistinct, while trees against a stormy sky are a bit too light. —PCMAG, 30 May 2024 That addition is particularly important considering users have complained in Samsung's user forums and on Reddit about the current vivid setting appearing too washed-out. —Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 The third Masters had so much rain that the first round didn't start until Friday, and when Sunday was washed out, the final two rounds were played on Monday. —ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026 Strikeouts present an issue, so some in-season adjustments will be necessary to maintain this pace, but any process flaws should get washed out by the optimal hitting environment. —John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026 After rain washed out Saturday’s game — setting up only the Cubs’ second doubleheader against an American League team (2014 against the New York Yankees) — the cold conditions with a wind chill in the 30s didn’t create an ideal hitting environment Sunday. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026 Troubles with water mounted over the years, so much so that their driveway once was washed out and their septic system destroyed, after an uphill neighbor cut down dozens of mature trees. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026 Three others quickly washed out of the NBA. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026 Floodwaters washed out homes, damaged roads, submerged vehicles and threatened a major dam in northern Oahu over the weekend. —Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026 Too cool and you can look washed out. —Bianca London, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Images incorporated into the mayor’s video showed washed-out or collapsed roads, a car stuck in floodwaters and raging waterways. —Sophia Tareen, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026 Intense flash flooding in towns like Wrightwood and Phelan in recent weeks caused devastating mudslides and washed-out roads, forcing people to be rescued by helicopter. —Zach Boetto, CBS News, 10 Jan. 2026 The magic lies in its warmth, which prevents the face from looking washed-out. —María Diez, Vogue, 17 Nov. 2025 Images generally have washed-out colors and an overall dark tone. —PC Magazine, 25 July 2025 Lindsay’s nails cause the color of the nail bed to look half white and half red or brown, whereas Terry’s nails cause the nail bed to look mostly white or washed-out, per Cleveland Clinic. —Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 12 Nov. 2024 This shade leans totally into nude territory without being washed-out. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 25 July 2024 The picture is bright, though some high-contrast shots of silhouetted objects show slightly muddy or washed-out shadow details; the contours of a lioness against a sunset are slightly indistinct, while trees against a stormy sky are a bit too light. —PCMAG, 30 May 2024 That addition is particularly important considering users have complained in Samsung's user forums and on Reddit about the current vivid setting appearing too washed-out. —Ewan Spence, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024
Verb
Part of a state highway in Northern Lower Michigan has washed out and is closed until further notice, the Emmet County Sheriff's Office said. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026 The third Masters had so much rain that the first round didn't start until Friday, and when Sunday was washed out, the final two rounds were played on Monday. —ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026 Strikeouts present an issue, so some in-season adjustments will be necessary to maintain this pace, but any process flaws should get washed out by the optimal hitting environment. —John Laghezza, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026 After rain washed out Saturday’s game — setting up only the Cubs’ second doubleheader against an American League team (2014 against the New York Yankees) — the cold conditions with a wind chill in the 30s didn’t create an ideal hitting environment Sunday. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2026 Troubles with water mounted over the years, so much so that their driveway once was washed out and their septic system destroyed, after an uphill neighbor cut down dozens of mature trees. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026 Three others quickly washed out of the NBA. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 2 Apr. 2026 Floodwaters washed out homes, damaged roads, submerged vehicles and threatened a major dam in northern Oahu over the weekend. —Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026 Too cool and you can look washed out. —Bianca London, Glamour, 24 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
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For the second time in a week, the Dodgers made a minor-league acquisition of a faded pitching prospect with impressive velocity but poor control.— Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 18 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, Jenner is pictured wearing a pair of faded yellow jeans and a white tank top, paired with a belly chain.— Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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If tired, float or tread water until out of the rip current.— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Apr. 2026
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Music lovers tired of paying hundreds of dollars to see big-name acts may be getting some relief.— Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Bulgaria's previous conservative government collapsed in December after nationwide anti-corruption protests drew hundreds of thousands of mainly young people to the streets.— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026
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The climax hit, and as every Phish fan knows, nearly collapsed the song before Anastasio brought the chicky-chicky guitar back in.— Jeff Miller, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, it should be noted that down should not be bleached or washed with fabric softener.— Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026
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Here, fabrics are scraped, scratched, patched, bleached, ripped and painted to signify the passage of time.— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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None of this comes as news to British Jews, still reeling from an attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Yom Kippur last October, in which two people were killed.— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
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One person was killed and another hospitalized after a stabbing attack in Burbank Monday, according to authorities.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The tongs used to pull hot dogs and taquitos off the eternally turning roller grill didn’t get washed, rinsed and sanitized when in use for four hours.— David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
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Recycling bins can get even funkier thanks to sticky bottles or cans that weren’t rinsed thoroughly.— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio had already spun the Renaissance fantasy of the bella donna, with her golden tresses, blue eyes, and pale skin.— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
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Some produce pale purple flowers that form crowns around deep green foliage, but others bloom in pink, red, blue, and white hues.— Patricia S York, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Households would receive a maximum credit of $5,000 per year until all funds are exhausted.— Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
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If there is a post-Games deficit the city is responsible for the first $270 million after the $270 million LA28 contingency fund is exhausted.— Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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