Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun whitewash

3 senses of whitewash

Sense 1
whitewash -- (a defeat in which the losing person or team fails to score)
       => defeat, licking -- (an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest; "it was a narrow defeat"; "the army's only defeat"; "they suffered a convincing licking")

Sense 2
whitewash -- (wash consisting of lime and size in water; used for whitening walls and other surfaces)
       => wash -- (a thin coat of water-base paint)

Sense 3
whitewash -- (a specious or deceptive clearing that attempts to gloss over failings and defects)
       => clearing -- (the act of freeing from suspicion)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb whitewash

3 senses of whitewash

Sense 1
whitewash, gloss over, sleek over, hush up -- (cover up a misdemeanor, fault, or error; "Let's not whitewash the crimes of Stalin"; "She tried to gloss over her mistakes")
       => cover, cover up -- (hide from view or knowledge; "The President covered the fact that he bugged the offices in the White House")

Sense 2
whitewash -- (cover with whitewash; "whitewash walls")
       => wash -- (apply a thin coating of paint, metal, etc., to)

Sense 3
whitewash -- (exonerate by means of a perfunctory investigation or through biased presentation of data)
       => acquit, assoil, clear, discharge, exonerate, exculpate -- (pronounce not guilty of criminal charges; "The suspect was cleared of the murder charges")