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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
-
Davis has partnered with multiple programs to eradicate childhood hunger in the U.S. and recently launched the Davis-Tennon Foundation.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 June 2025
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Vaccines eradicated smallpox and dramatically reduced infant deaths from measles, tuberculosis, whooping cough, and tetanus.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
27 June 2025
Noun
-
The university released a statement thanking law enforcement and expressing sympathies to people affected by the killings, but did not comment on Kohberger himself beyond confirming his enrollment.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 July 2025
-
Last week, soldiers in the Israeli military said leadership ordered soldiers to fire on unarmed Palestinians at aid distribution centers in Gaza, indicating the killings are the result of IDF policies targeting civilians in violation of international law.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
1 July 2025
Verb
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After the acquisition, Nordstrom pushed to expand the service yet to contain costs, instituted a $25 at-home try-on fee and shortened the return window, negatively impacting what male customers had come to expect.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Hot weather speeds up chemical reactions inside your battery, which shortens its lifespan.—
Bethany Wales,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Federal climate science is being systematically erased.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
-
The Human Constant Technological revolutions do not erase the need for human judgment.—
Solange Charas,
Forbes.com,
30 June 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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This edition of Forbes Daily was edited by Sarah Whitmire.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 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
-
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 15 Jul. 2025.
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