To paint (a building, a wall, etc.) a bright white with whitewash. • To distort or give a misleading account of (history, a narrative, etc.) by discounting the participation of people of colour and focusing on white people. • To cast a white actor in a role for a person of colour in (a film, television programme, etc.). • To make over (someone of colour) so that they appear more white, for example, by applying lightening makeup to their skin or digitally manipulating an image of them. • To cover or coat (something) with a white substance, as if with whitewash (noun sense 1); also, to light up (something) with white light. • To clear (someone's) debts, especially through a declaration of bankruptcy by a court; also, to clear or write off (a debt). • To hide (someone's) mistakes, or to create an appearance of honesty, propriety, etc., for (someone); also, to intentionally hide or overlook (mistakes, unfavourable facts, wrongdoing, etc.). • To achieve a complete victory or series of victories over (an opponent) without suffering any losses; also, to achieve a victory or series of victories over (an opponent) by a very large margin. • To make (the face, etc.) look lighter with makeup or a similar preparation. • Synonym of bleach (“to treat (fabric) with a substance which lightens or whitens”). • To paint bright white with whitewash (noun sense 1). • To have debts cleared through a declaration of bankruptcy by a court. • Of bricks: to become encrusted with a white layer of soluble salts due to efflorescence.