1
: sharply outlined : distinct
2
: free from ambiguity or uncertainty : unambiguous
a clear-cut decision
: an area of forest in which all the trees have been cut down
But the logging has been concentrated in the high-volume old-growth forest, and clear-cuts are spread over almost every one of the region's watersheds.—
Catherine Caufield
Catherine Caufield
also
: clear-cutting
clear-cut; clear-cutting
: to cut down all the trees in (an area of forest)
He says there has been a massive deforestation as the Chinese have clear-cut millions of acres of Tibetan Forests to sell lumber on the export market …—Daniel Goleman
Daniel Goleman… native rain forest experts who harvest plants for traditional healers, make from two to 10 times per hectare the income of a farmer who clear-cuts the forest for planting crops.—Cathy Sears and Robert Neuwirth
Cathy Sears and Robert NeuwirthSynonyms
Adjective
Examples of clear-cut in a Sentence
Adjective
a clear-cut case of plagiarism that resulted in her immediate dismissal
clear-cut instructions that even an idiot should be able to follow
Recent Examples on the WebAja Romano, Vox, 13 July 2024
Causes of Lymphoma Tumors The underlying cause of lymphoma is not always clear-cut.
—Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 1 July 2024
The decision was not as clear-cut as the crowd initially believed.
—Emma Uber, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
Look for the path that is clear-cut and fits into your plans perfectly.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 22 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for clear-cut 
Adjective
What’s truly shocking is how frequently Brady violations occur, despite their seriousness and despite how clear-cut the law is.
—Aja Romano, Vox, 13 July 2024
Causes of Lymphoma Tumors The underlying cause of lymphoma is not always clear-cut.
—Corey Whelan, Verywell Health, 1 July 2024
The decision was not as clear-cut as the crowd initially believed.
—Emma Uber, Washington Post, 1 July 2024
Look for the path that is clear-cut and fits into your plans perfectly.
—Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 22 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for clear-cut
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clear-cut.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near clear-cut
Cite this Entry
“Clear-cut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear-cut. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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