1
as in to tidy (up)
to make a place neat and orderly by removing extraneous stuff
you're expected to clean up after you use the workroom
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to censor
to remove objectionable parts from
cleaned up the rock star's interview before publishing it in the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of
hurriedly cleaned up the mess that they had created in the kitchen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in killing
an exceptionally large return
The couple made a cleanup when they flipped the house.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clean (up)
Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 8 July 2025
The update comes at a time of uncertain federal support for bay cleanup programs.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2025
But following a $1.5 billion cleanup project, Parisians and tourists are finally able to cool off by taking a refreshing dip.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
Bitter End supports community environmental efforts by opening their space and equipment to the Green Sprouts Eco Club, an organization aimed at getting young people involved in recycling, beach cleanups, and gardening.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for clean (up)
Noun
Their cooperation and remediation efforts spared taxpayers the burden of cleanup costs and were appropriately considered in the resolution of the charges.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 8 July 2025
The update comes at a time of uncertain federal support for bay cleanup programs.
—Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2025
But following a $1.5 billion cleanup project, Parisians and tourists are finally able to cool off by taking a refreshing dip.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 July 2025
Bitter End supports community environmental efforts by opening their space and equipment to the Green Sprouts Eco Club, an organization aimed at getting young people involved in recycling, beach cleanups, and gardening.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for clean (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clean (up)
Verb
-
More urgently, defunding and censoring science could have dramatically negative consequences for all Americans.—
Matt Motta,
Scientific American,
10 July 2025
-
That’s something that archaeological reports released by the city in the past have routinely included without censoring.—
Andres Viglucci
July 4,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2025
Verb
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The fest was especially significant this year — the 50th anniversary of resettlement in the U.S. by refugees emanating from the Vietnam War, the Secret War in Laos and the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia that attempted to eradicate artists, intellectuals and cultural bearers from society.—
Jia H. Jung,
Mercury News,
11 July 2025
-
Measles was eradicated in the United States 25 years ago.—
Taylor Wilson,
USA Today,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Buono, a Glendale upholsterer, was convicted after a two-year trial of nine of the Hillside Strangler killings in late 1983.—
Richard Winton
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
-
Hall, of course, plays Dexter Morgan, a Miami police forensics specialist who delivers his own brand of justice with his serial killing ways.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
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Linking Brazil's Atlantic coast with the Pacific Ocean in Peru could shorten shipping times to Asian markets by as much as 12 days compared with current routes passing through the Panama Canal.—
Theo Burman
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
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For injuries, vibration therapy can shorten healing time.—
Kristin Auble,
Vogue,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Kurt's key takeaways The AI tattoo machine isn't here to erase tradition.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
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And the push to exclude non-citizens from the next count is unconstitutional, deeply un-American and designed to erase entire communities.—
Genesis Robinson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Noun
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Wimbledon gives ninety per cent of its profits to Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association, to encourage participation in the sport and to support the next generation of élite players.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
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McIntyre has been touring his Chronically Online Podcast around the U.S. since January under an 0-1 visa, which is how most artists, comedians, or creators such as himself do so legally for profit.—
Fortesa Latifi,
Rolling Stone,
11 July 2025
Verb
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These interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.—
Janelle Griffith,
People.com,
15 July 2025
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There are also carefully edited gift shops like Trésors Publics, which has become a New Nice institution.—
Sloane Crosley,
Travel + Leisure,
15 July 2025
Verb
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While Minnesota abolished the death penalty over a century ago, the federal murder charges carry a maximum penalty of capital punishment.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 July 2025
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Minnesota abolished its state death penalty in 1911.—
Steve Karnowski,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clean (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean%20%28up%29. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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