green·wash·ing
ˈgrēn-ˌwȯ-shiŋ 
-ˌwä-
: the act or practice of making a product, policy, activity, etc. appear to be more environmentally friendly or less environmentally damaging than it really is
The practice of greenwashing appears more common as firms attempt to better position themselves in a global marketplace growing more concerned with corporate sustainability.—
Timothy W. Aurand et al.
Timothy W. Aurand et al.Not only is greenwashing bad for the environment, but it's misleading to consumers who want to invest in products that aren't harmful to the planet.—Jennifer Manfrin
Jennifer ManfrinThe greenwashing allegation … adds to efforts to heap pressure on some of the world's biggest polluting companies as regulators take an increasing interest in climate change.—William Mathis and Austin Weinstein Bloomberg
William Mathis and Austin Weinstein BloombergA lack of rigorous measurement means that greenwashing is rife and bogus claims go uncontested.—The Economist
The Economistgreenwashing
2 of 2present participle of greenwash
Examples of greenwashing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Among issues facing European sourcing teams this edition is the impact of legislation to combat greenwashing.
—Ellen Groves, WWD, 19 Feb. 2025
Credibility and Greenwashing Concerns: The fear of greenwashing can damage a company’s credibility.
—Dr. Milan Kumar, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
The growing awareness of greenwashing means people are looking beyond claims.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for greenwashing
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Noun
The Erosion of Trust As sustainability becomes a buzzword, some brands resort to greenwashing—making misleading claims about their environmental efforts.
—Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
Among issues facing European sourcing teams this edition is the impact of legislation to combat greenwashing.
—Ellen Groves, WWD, 19 Feb. 2025
Credibility and Greenwashing Concerns: The fear of greenwashing can damage a company’s credibility.
—Dr. Milan Kumar, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
The growing awareness of greenwashing means people are looking beyond claims.
—Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for greenwashing
Cite this Entry
“Greenwashing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greenwashing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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