W is for Whitewash

Whitewash is a thin, pale liquid made from lime, water, and sometimes salt or other materials. It is painted onto walls and other surfaces to make them white. After it dries, it leaves a simple, chalky coating. Whitewash was used before modern paints, and it made buildings look more attractive.

The word can also mean hiding faults or bad facts by making something seem better than it really is. For example, a report might be called a whitewash if it ignores the truth about a problem.