washed-out 1 of 2

adjective

ˈwȯsht-ˈau̇t How to pronounce washed-out (audio)
Definition of washed-outnext
1
as in faded
lacking intensity of color washed-out blond hair

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

washed out

2 of 2

verb

past tense of wash out
1
as in collapsed
to be unsuccessful most of the participants in the tough training program washed out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in killed
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 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
Adjective
Numerous roads washed-out, collapsing down into the ground. — Darcie Moran, Freep.com, 26 Apr. 2026 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
Verb
The robot’s filter basket was completely washed out and ready for the next cleaning cycle. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 Any flash from the impact itself is expected to be washed out by the bright lunar surface. — Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026 More broadly, momentum investors appeared washed out into the end of July, which prompted technical selling. — Alex Harring,sean Conlon,sarah Min, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026 Residents in metro Atlanta and across North Georgia are picking up the pieces following an intense overnight thunderstorm that brought severe flash flooding, washed out roadways, and left thousands without power. — Rashad Williams, CBS News, 29 July 2026 Torrential rains caused flash floods that swamped homes, washed out bridges and led to water rescues in West Virginia, authorities said. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 The final was postponed to Monday after heavy rain washed out Sunday’s play. — James Hansen, New York Times, 20 July 2026 Without it, Dike points out that the room can feel flat or washed out. — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 12 July 2026 Overnight treatments work best and should be washed out with shampoo the next day. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
  1. faded
  2. tired
  3. collapsed
  4. bleached
  5. killed
  6. rinsed
  7. pale
  8. exhausted
Adjective
  • Today, Tskaltubo's grand architecture stands as a testament to its faded glory—the sweeping arcs, decorative motifs, and faded murals all reminiscent of its once poignant beauty.
    — Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 27 July 2026
  • Learn how to stain a fence the right way to protect a new wood fence or enhance a faded fence.
    — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2026
Definition of faded
Adjective
  • Well, the growing season in the South is a long one, and even the best thrillers get tired, the spillers get leggy, and the fillers sometimes disappear.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Replace Cabinet Hardware New drawer pulls, cabinet knobs, and even hinges can make quite the impact on your tired old kitchen cabinets.
    — Barbara Bellesi Zito, The Spruce, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of tired
Verb
  • Although the market has adapted and prices have remained relatively low considering the historic supply shock during the war, that’s in large part because demand for oil collapsed and China drew down its massive oil stockpiles.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But he was forced to apologize after his plans to form a subsidiary to run the tournament, which would have opened the door for investors to buy stakes of up to ​20% in a spinout firm, collapsed after widespread backlash across the sport.
    — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapsed
Verb
  • Inside, the scenery is far more elaborate than in its outdoor counterparts as there is no danger of it getting bleached by the sun or blowing away.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Their typically bright coral feathers were white, as if they had been bleached.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 July 2026
Definition of bleached
Verb
  • In June, more than 30 people were killed when gunmen attacked the main airport in Niamey.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Two other people were killed in Indiana earlier this week during a powerful derecho.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of killed
Verb
  • Once rinsed, transfer to a clean dish towel and gently pat them dry.
    — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026
  • It might be further spread by the industrial washing process, where many pieces of produce are rinsed in the same water.
    — Pien Huang, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of rinsed
Adjective
  • Because pale layers form between June and September and dark ones from October to April, the position of the ash inside a couplet enables relatively precise timing.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The changes could also spell disaster for children with disabilities, as state requirements for services often pale in comparison to Head Start’s federal mandates.
    — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pale
Adjective
  • Ariel, a successful but exhausted writer, struggles to stay young and attractive while his younger wife drags him into a demanding social life, his five children treat him like a butler, and his elderly parents constantly demand his attention.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Yet despite all this effort, many high achievers report feeling mentally exhausted, creatively depleted and less productive than ever.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of exhausted

Browse Nearby Words

washed one's hands of
washed-out
washed out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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