Whitewashed

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Covered with a white, chalky paint used on walls or fences ; altered information or events to hide negative aspects and make them seem better or less harmful
2. Coated with a traditional pale paint often used for brightening surfaces ; presented in a way that conceals unpleasant truths to improve reputation
3. Having a surface treated with a white lime-based paint for cleanliness or decoration ; expunged or disguised flaws by presenting a misleadingly positive version

Etymology: Whitewash is a compound of "white" and "wash", and its literal sense is exactly what the name suggests: a cheap liquid mixture of lime or chalk and water, brushed onto walls and fences to make them look clean and bright. The metaphorical sense, covering up something unpleasant so that a person, group or institution looks better, grew naturally out of that practice. A wall painted over a stain looks spotless while the stain is still there underneath. The adjective is formed by adding the "-ed" ending to the verb, so "whitewashed" describes something that has been coated in that pale wash or, more often in modern use, a report, history or reputation that has been prettified to hide its flaws. The word is a simple, transparent formation, and its power comes almost entirely from the image of the painted-over wall.

Synonyms: bleached, washed, painted, cleaned, purified

Antonyms: darkened, tainted, stained, blemished, colored