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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sanitary
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cleanly
Jill Lupupa, Peoplemag, 7 Aug. 2023
Other options like the fall apart-tender pork belly taco, topped with sour-sweet tamarind salsa, cleanly acidic gooseberry salsa, and bright serranos round out the thoughtful menu at Guerilla Tacos.
—Javier Cabral, Bon Appétit, 21 July 2023
Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
Three more times in the round, Frazier’s left found Ali’s face cleanly.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleanly
Adverb
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
Other options like the fall apart-tender pork belly taco, topped with sour-sweet tamarind salsa, cleanly acidic gooseberry salsa, and bright serranos round out the thoughtful menu at Guerilla Tacos.
—Javier Cabral, Bon Appétit, 21 July 2023
Adjective
Batch tabletop miniatures for a weekend campaign, produce cosplay armor sections that fit together cleanly, or prototype brackets and housings for clients with consistent results.
—Shubham Yewale, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2025
Three more times in the round, Frazier’s left found Ali’s face cleanly.
—Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleanly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanly
Adverb
-
However, some entered the country legally through airports.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Some states have laws that require safe storage of guns at all times or in certain circumstances, such as living with someone under age 16 or someone who isn’t legally allowed to own or possess a gun.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Add these items to your regular cleaning routine to maintain a more sanitary space.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Sep. 2025
-
In other business, sanitary sewer project manager Walter Jaime told the council the city recorded a 6.35-inch rainfall during a rainstorm Aug. 18-19 that led to a sanitary sewage overflow on 25th Avenue, east of Clay Street.—
Carole Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
As inane and sterile as the marketing was, the actual event wasn’t awful.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
24 Sep. 2025
-
However, in the 1950s, eradication efforts using sterile male flies and livestock monitoring began to push the fly population southward.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For starters, the convenient silicone tip makes for more hygienic application that doesn't involve dipping your finger into a pot.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This model is known for its deep-cleaning performance and hygienic bin emptying and includes a two-year warranty.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
According to the post, detectives seized one pound of pure fentanyl, which police said is enough to kill around 225,000 people.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
29 Sep. 2025
-
At the same time, monochrome looks in pure black or white dominated, showing the season’s full contrasts.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are lined up to start for the Dodgers – and will meet them in San Diego well-rested and untainted by the lackluster effort at Coors Field.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Trading card valuations can offer a unique market assessment of fan interest and player marketability, untainted by the structural constraints that artificially suppress WNBA salaries.—
Lindsey Darvin,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Pre-washed greens, like those in salad kits, aren’t immune to these issues.—
Danielle Zickl,
Health,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Nothing is pre-washed and none of the ingredients for my recipes were pre-cut.—
Alexis Berger,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The trailer opens with scenes of a seemingly wholesome town as the Hanlon family moves in.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Standouts include Borit Gogae for a wholesome, country-style set meal; Mapo Dak Galbi for its assertive namesake stir-fry; MDK Noodles for deeply comforting kalguksu; Park’s BBQ for top-tier Korean barbecue; and Western Doma Noodles for japchae and kimchi jjigae.—
Emily Wilson,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanly. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share