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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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
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The report also highlighted cleaner-air successes elsewhere in California.
—Meg Tanaka, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Clearing the ethics docket while cleaning house would be one long overdue, and bipartisan, way to improve it.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Gannon Burgett, Car and Driver, 28 Mar. 2023
These services sell carbon credits offered by NGOs and governments that, using offset proceeds, plant mangroves, distribute clean-burning stoves, preserve grasslands, and install digesters to capture cooking gas from manure among other types of projects.
—Time, 21 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for clean
Adjective
Plant a tree or garden People can turn to their own backyards to make a difference in keeping the air around them clean.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The report also highlighted cleaner-air successes elsewhere in California.
—Meg Tanaka, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
Mitigating climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and transitioning to clean energy is crucial, according to Elipot, along with ongoing observation and research to better predict and prepare for potential impacts.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Clearing the ethics docket while cleaning house would be one long overdue, and bipartisan, way to improve it.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
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
These services sell carbon credits offered by NGOs and governments that, using offset proceeds, plant mangroves, distribute clean-burning stoves, preserve grasslands, and install digesters to capture cooking gas from manure among other types of projects.
—Time, 21 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for clean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clean
Adjective
-
NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin shared that a local law enforcement source described the property as spotless, implying there were no signs a struggle had taken place inside the house.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The spotless streets are polished nightly by the feet of families licking ice cream.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Each year in the US, there are nearly 500 arrests for filicide — the legal term for when parents kill their children — according to an analysis of FBI data by Forensic Science International.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The Department of Buildings does not have the legal authority to change the law unilaterally.—
Hannah Kliger,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm, and not ill-intended.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Sitting at a baby grand piano, Mars prompted swoons with his delivery of the lyrics, his pure voice holding notes with the same muscularity as early in the show.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The United States should be able to conduct thorough reviews, listen to public input, and uphold valid environmental standards without turning every major infrastructure project into a lengthy, bureaucratic process.—
Dan Romito,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The spike in deaths has rattled the international community, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemning the situation and demanding a thorough inspection of conditions at ICE facilities.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The overall aesthetic was slightly ascetic without being spartan—a pale, neutral color palette; simple, modern furniture; a few pieces of abstract art.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
-
This translates to the Gap cardigan sweater and the Levi’s shorts paired with the flats for a simple, slightly elevated look that feels comfortable.—
Isis Briones,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
These are great for traveling or if your yard is devoid of things to attach to.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect.—
Collin Binkley,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Other players use wet towels or even lick their hands and wipe the bottom of their shoes to get more grip.—
Max Scheinblum,
Denver Post,
17 Apr. 2026
-
That’s the only way to live and survive, and to prove that you can’t be defeated, because Israelis will still tell you that they are surrounded by enemies who want to wipe them off the face of the earth.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The president ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March, shortly before removing Attorney General Pam Bondi from the Justice Department in early April.—
Brooke Migdon,
PEOPLE,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The requirement to print ballots one month before Election Day does not present an insurmountable obstacle to removing candidates; modern technology could facilitate supplemental ballots even within government bureaucracies, making the current restriction outdated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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