The term 'turns whitish' can be summarized by the crossword solution 'pales, ' which is a five-letter word. To 'PALE' means to become less intense or to become less colorful, often turning to a white or grayish color. This term is often used to describe a person's complexion when they are feeling ill or scared. It can also be used to describe the color of something that has been exposed to the sun for too long.