Definition of washed-outnext

washed out

2 of 2

verb

past tense of wash out
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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
As for selfie videos, my face stays sharp and clear, though my complexion looks a little washed out. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 2026 Momentum went from washed out to leadership in a matter of weeks. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 28 Sep. 2026 Joey Logano, who started from the pole by the rule book when rain washed out time trials, finished 20th and fell from third to fourth in the standings, a distant 67 points out of the lead. — Reid Spencer, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026 In Ocean City, Maryland, heavy surf caused beach erosion, washed out fencing by the dunes and was leading to flooding. — CBS News, 26 Sep. 2026 The rich, yet creamy, color pairs beautifully with fall neutrals and creates a softening contrast that makes skin look healthy and vibrant, rather than washed out and dull. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 18 Sep. 2026 The remains were found near Crystal Rapid, about 10 miles downstream from Phantom Ranch, one of the areas devastated by the August 29 deadly flash flood that washed out footbridges and campgrounds. — Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026 And in Laguna Beach, back-to-back storms have eroded the sand so much that a lifeguard station was tied to the shore to make sure it wouldn’t be washed out to sea. — Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 Videos of the disaster showed people running before the floodwaters swallowed them up and washed out buildings and bridges. — Shristi Kafle, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for washed-out
Adjective
  • This embroidered quilt is the epitome of fall style with its warm background and mix of leaves in faded brown and golden hues.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The quasi-patriotic palette got contemporary edge from faded lines running through the red and dark navy stripes, which shifted between vertical and horizontal directions.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Billed as an immersive matchmaking experience and a new take on the dating show, the format features singletons who are tired of swiping and first dates and are ready to get hitched.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Valadao, meanwhile, cast himself as an experienced policymaker who delivers for the region and dismissed the criticism as the political bickering voters are tired of.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Messi collapsed to the turf as his teammates, delirious, ran to hug him.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Jim Bakker, the pioneering TV evangelist who became a symbol of the glitz and greed of the 1980s when his PTL empire near Charlotte collapsed amid scandals, died Monday.
    — Melissa Rodriguez, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Eco effort While over 80% of the reefs around the resort were bleached following the dramatic temperature rises of El Nino in 2016, the resort is throwing everything at its coral nursery and the green shoots are showing.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The large works seem to be on the verge of becoming ghostly, bleached by the same relentless Florida sunlight that makes Miami Beach so visually seductive.
    — Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Kabul and the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan said the strikes in Helmand and Kunar provinces had killed at least 10 civilians, most of them children.
    — MUNIR AHMED, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
  • But is any of that enough when a Western Union telegram brings news of Aron’s death, killed in a battle in France?
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Machine Wash Cotton and fleece robes can be washed in the washing machine but be sure to wash with similar items and keep your load size small to ensure the fabric is fully rinsed and clean when the cycle is complete.
    — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Washing soda functions as a processing aid and is rinsed out before the straw becomes pulp, the organization said.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Rocha developed Parker’s dress from an existing show piece, reworking its hand-laced, unraveling ribbons in a pale ballet pink intended as a nod to pointe shoes.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Wide, pale pink, satin ribbons were threaded loosely throughout the dress, culminating in bows at the shoulders.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • This is an important practical issue because nighttime feedings happen when parents are understandably exhausted.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers now think the answer is not more stimulation, but a chance to reset exhausted fibroblasts.
    — Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Washed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/washed-out. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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