1
as in spotless
free from dirt or stain
although the soccer team always starts out with clean uniforms, they don't stay that way for long
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in legal
following or according to the rules
a clean check from the other hockey player
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3
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
only clean songs will be permitted for the performances on the last night of summer camp
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in thorough
trying all possibilities
police made a clean sweep of the area before the governor's arrival
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5
as in simple
having no exceptions or restrictions
the clean joy of running that young children experience
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6
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present
the ship returned with a clean hold
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1
as in to wipe
to remove the dirt from
we cleaned the clothes before donating them to charity
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2
as in to remove
to take the internal organs out of
cleaned the rabbit before cooking it
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1
as in legally
according to the rules or the law
a boxer who doesn't fight clean
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2
as in completely
to a full extent or degree
the thief got clean away
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clean
Justin Papp, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Residents here are worried this could slow the effort to bring them clean water.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
ABC News, 28 May 2026
The key is understanding that Eco mode is meant for maintenance cleaning rather than deep cleaning.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 June 2024
Natural Gas: Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel source that is generally less expensive than other fuels.
—Gannon Burgett, Car and Driver, 28 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for clean
Adjective
Trump has called for a clean extension of the program, while many in Congress want restrictions on the law’s warrantless surveillance provisions.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 10 June 2026
Residents here are worried this could slow the effort to bring them clean water.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Verb
Rodríguez said that not only does water pumping consume electricity, but all of the agency’s essential activities require fuel, from unclogging pipes and cleaning septic tanks to repairing leaks.
—ABC News, 28 May 2026
The key is understanding that Eco mode is meant for maintenance cleaning rather than deep cleaning.
—Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 28 May 2026
Adverb
Up to this point, Eloise has been a staunch proponent of Penelope coming clean to Colin and quitting the Lady Whistledown operation for good.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 June 2024
Natural Gas: Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel source that is generally less expensive than other fuels.
—Gannon Burgett, Car and Driver, 28 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for clean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clean
Adjective
-
Platja des Carbó, Mallorca A quieter, undeveloped stretch reached by a short coastal walk, Es Carbó offers pristine sands and uninterrupted horizons.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
7 June 2026
-
This pristine marine wonderland is home to over 450 species of marine life, including the world-famous whale sharks, as well as 250 diverse coral species.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
By 1986, this legal jeopardy drove all but one vaccine manufacturer out of the market, with that last survivor poised to abandon vaccines in the US as well.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
In legal filings, Ohio Medicaid warned that recalculating the payments under the court's interpretation could cost about $285 million more per year than lawmakers originally intended, potentially approaching $1 billion over two budget cycles.—
Brittany Miller,
FOXNews.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Both of those latter cocktails are pure brightness, while the vanilla from the aged rum and the spice from the bitters in the Old Cuban moves it from poolside to inside as if under a slowly twisting ceiling fan in a smoky room, long narrow beams of light through the wooden shutters.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
6 June 2026
-
But maybe more about devotion in its purest form.—
Stephanie Mack,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
To their credit, though, their preparation for the World Cup has been thorough, with friendlies against Ecuador, Colombia, Norway and Poland, among others.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
-
Instead of relying on wearables alone, Poindexter is making sure to get her yearly physical and signed up for Function, which includes more thorough blood and biomarker testing.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
My wife goes into the kitchen and returns with beer, fruit, and a few simple dishes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
-
The measure needs a simple majority to win.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Well it’s expected to make some big box office bucks this weekend, but sadly this reboot, simply called once again Scary Movie, is surprisingly devoid of many laughs.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
-
Although service is not quite polished, the happy-go-lucky Dutch-Caribbean staff are refreshingly devoid of attitude.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Take a non-abrasive, lint-free cleaning cloth, dampen it with water, and wipe the vinegar residue off the outdoor smoker.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
4 June 2026
-
This versatile companion bag is crafted from soft, pebbled vegan leather that’s easy to wipe clean.—
Sarah Scott,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
South of Miami, the Florida Keys are known for their laidback charm, far removed from the hustle and bustle of Orlando's theme parks.—
Allison Tibaldi,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
The car has since been removed, and the Shorewood Building Department is evaluating the damage.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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