Dictionary
1whitewash
verb white·wash \ˈhwīt-ˌwȯsh, ˈwīt-, -ˌwäsh\
: to make (something) whiter by painting it with whitewash
: to prevent people from learning the truth about (something bad, such as a dishonest, immoral, or illegal act or situation)
: to defeat (an opponent) easily by winning every game, point, etc.
Full Definition of WHITEWASH
transitive verb
1
: to whiten with whitewash
2
a : to gloss over or cover up (as vices or crimes) <refused to whitewash the scandal> b : to exonerate by means of a perfunctory investigation or through biased presentation of data
3
: to hold (an opponent) scoreless in a game or contest
— white·wash·er noun
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First Known Use of WHITEWASH
1591
Related to WHITEWASH
- Synonyms
- blink (at), brush (aside or off), condone, discount, disregard, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, overlook, overpass, paper over, pardon, pass over, remit, shrug off, excuse, wink (at)
2whitewash
noun
: a white liquid mixture used for making surfaces (such as walls or fences) whiter
: a planned effort to hide a dishonest, immoral, or illegal act or situation
: a defeat in a game or contest in which the loser does not score any points
Full Definition of WHITEWASH
1
2
: an act or instance of glossing over or of exonerating
3
: a defeat in a contest in which the loser fails to score
See whitewash defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of WHITEWASH
1678
WHITEWASH Defined for Kids
1whitewash
verb white·wash \ˈhwīt-ˌwȯsh, ˈwīt-, -ˌwäsh\
white·washedwhite·wash·ing
Definition of WHITEWASH for Kids
1
: to cover with a mixture that whitens
2
: to try to hide the wrongdoing of <The company didn't try to whitewash their actions.>
2whitewash
noun
Definition of WHITEWASH for Kids
: a mixture (as of lime and water) for making a surface (as a wall) white
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