as in legally
according to the rules or the law
it was a cleanly fought match, so you have no grounds for complaint
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sanitary
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleanly
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
It is easily reached by a highway that cuts cleanly through the Sonoran Desert, past wind turbines spinning in their hundreds.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
Ripa smiled at the camera with cleanly arched eyebrows, long eyelashes and long blonde locks that fell past her shoulders.
—Jill Lupupa, Peoplemag, 7 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cleanly
Adverb
Koss cleanly caught both fly balls hit at him but committed a throwing error when attempting to throw out a runner at home.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
It is easily reached by a highway that cuts cleanly through the Sonoran Desert, past wind turbines spinning in their hundreds.
—Sophie Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Among the 21 artists are Julia Chon and Dave Young Kim, who offer cleanly hard-edge paintings of, respectively, a woman in traditional garb and two storks below two strands of barbed wire.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
Ripa smiled at the camera with cleanly arched eyebrows, long eyelashes and long blonde locks that fell past her shoulders.
—Jill Lupupa, Peoplemag, 7 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cleanly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanly
Adverb
-
It’s based on the habeas corpus, which is a Latin legal term referring to the constitutional right for people to legally challenge their detention by the government.—
Audrey McAvoy,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Although parked legally, the cars made the route impassable for school buses, plow trucks, fire trucks or ambulances.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For livestock, this would include potable water, sanitary living conditions and access to a windbreak such as a building or tree line.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Results showed 80% of respondents voted no, citing both sanitary and ethical concerns.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Individual plants live for 300 years with attractive, but sterile, red flower spikes.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Beautifully photographed by Greig Fraser, the color palette is warm and colorful, not cold and sterile; Daniel Pemberton’s percussive score is curious, bright and emotionally leading.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Heated mop washing and drying For even more hygienic and clean-smelling mops, look for a dock with both heated mop washing and heated drying.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
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The texture is rich, so a little goes a long way; use a spatula to keep things hygienic and scoop out the necessary amount.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Investigators suspected Austin's story was pure fiction.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
True, Shakespeare had added the characters of Touchstone and Jacques, thus mocking the sport of love and misting it in disillusionment; but most of the plot is pure Lodge.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The characters, as shot by cinematographer Cedric Cheung-Lau, organically occupy these spaces, like the jungle or sea caves, which often feel otherworldly in their untainted beauty.—
Carlos Aguilar,
IndieWire,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The judge instead asked for more evidence that the money was untainted.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Better Homes & Gardens Paisley Medallion Cotton Quilt To keep you cool throughout the warmer seasons, the BHG x Walmart quilt is made from 100% cotton with a pre-washed and pre-shrunk cotton fill for maximum softness, comfort, and breathability.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
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Both are formulated with ultra-fine rice starches that dissipate without a trace and absorb product buildup for that just-washed, clean look.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Whatever wholesome energy might have accumulated in the air from that exchange dissipates as soon as we’re thrown back in the galley.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
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Kickball was his last shot at some wholesome outdoor fun before a long afternoon of talks and breakout sessions.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanly. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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