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
Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
There were only eight players still in the locker room Monday when the media was allowed in on clean-out day.
—D. Orlando Ledbetter, AJC.com, 8 Jan. 2026
David Wilson, Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
The group takes in donations from the public of gently warn shoes, and then thousands of volunteers help clean and restore those shoes to pristine condition.
—Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 6 Jan. 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
Hard water stains, soap scum, and everyday grime can accumulate quickly, making even the cleanest bathroom feel less fresh.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 8 Jan. 2026
There were only eight players still in the locker room Monday when the media was allowed in on clean-out day.
—D. Orlando Ledbetter, AJC.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
Also see: Despite their own Eaton fire losses, Pasadena-area day laborers step up to clean their town, and help each other
The event on Thursday is from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Pasadena Community Job Center500 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena.
—David Wilson, Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
The group takes in donations from the public of gently warn shoes, and then thousands of volunteers help clean and restore those shoes to pristine condition.
—Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 6 Jan. 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
-
Despite the busy holiday rush, many South Florida restaurants and food trucks managed to keep their premises spotless in December, from beloved staples (Rustic Inn Crabhouse) to new spots (Sotogrande at Pier Sixty-Six).—
Phillip Valys,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Michelle Buteau doesn’t believe in perfect mornings, spotless sweatpants, or rigid holiday rituals.—
Leslie D. Rose,
Parents,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Through amendments, the board ultimately restored minimal funding for eviction legal support, farmers' market FoodShare matching and support for families with children with disabilities or developmental delays.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Early in 2025, the production allegedly hit a legal roadblock due to a clause in a settlement made with one of Jackson's former accusers, Jordan Chandler.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Just the pure joy of motion and music.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
That verisimilitude functioned as a solvent, lending credibility and urgency to elements of the show that might otherwise register as pure cheese; the medical realism and sentimental flourishes were mutually reinforcing.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Minnesota state investigators would need to be able to conduct a thorough investigation to move forward with potential state charges against the unnamed ICE agent who fatally shot Good, according to Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Bath toys deserve a thorough cleaning at least monthly to remove body soil and soap scum that can invite mold and mildew to form.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
According to Bruce Blair, a former Air Force launch officer and nuclear policy expert, between 1962 and the mid-1970s the most powerful digits on the globe were simple – eight zeros.—
Charlotte Reck,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
That something as simple as a COVID vaccine might improve survival in cancer patients receiving standard immunotherapy has taken oncologists by surprise — in a good way.—
Lisa Jarvis,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2024
Verb
-
Rinse with warm water and wipe with a microfiber cloth.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Let the towel remain on the stovetop for at least 15 minutes and then wipe with a clean cloth to remove debris.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Everglades restoration involves removing as many of these dams as possible without risking flood control, while adding more reservoirs for water storage, all to revive a river of grass that flows once more.—
Amy Green,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Staff immediately removed him from his cell and provided medical aid.—
Mars King,
Twin Cities,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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