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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in legally
according to the rules or the law
a boxer who doesn't fight clean
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Regardless, the rooms are airy, clean, and comfortable, and the beaches are worth it.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Would a climate neutral way of cleaning the rooms be more time-consuming, stressful or bad for the back?
—Mattias Goldmann, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
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
But it's also affected by public policy, like soda taxes or clean water regulations and accessibility.
—Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Regardless, the rooms are airy, clean, and comfortable, and the beaches are worth it.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
And reusable cabin air filters, which can be cleaned and reinstalled multiple times, cut down on waste while keeping the air inside the car healthier—a real bonus during wildfire season or allergy months.
—Melanie Marshall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
Would a climate neutral way of cleaning the rooms be more time-consuming, stressful or bad for the back?
—Mattias Goldmann, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
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
-
Similar to Holy Rain, Royal’s technique and execution are spotless.—
Jason Pu,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Over time, food particles, grease, soap scum, and even mineral buildup can collect inside your machine, affecting its performance and leaving your dishes less than spotless.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Paxton’s legal problems include criminal charges related to securities fraud in 2015.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
-
As the exclusive bargaining representative of NBA players, the NBPA licenses agents and thereby gives them the legal right to represent players in contract negotiations.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Gerald Genta Minute Repeater A pure minute repeater – without other high watchmaking functions as part of a grand-complication package – is a rare thing.—
Carol Besler,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Invisible pollutants unleashed To simulate real-world conditions, the researchers placed unused masks in beakers of ultra-pure water and left them at room temperature for 24 hours.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Our department is committed to a thorough and impartial review.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Sep. 2025
-
There were too many instances of big plays that could have been prevented had the initial tackle attempt been successful, and at the very least, a more thorough attempt would have helped slow the ball carrier down.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Their simple plan goes awry when one of their relatives wants a posh Korean wedding banquet in the heartfelt romantic comedy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The inspiration The Copleys wanted a low-water garden that would be simple to care for.—
Caron Golden,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 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
-
And the arbitrator directed the city to wipe Biscari’s personnel record clean of any reference to the crash.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
9 Sep. 2025
-
To keep things clean, try to wipe the outside of your cabinets once a week.—
Zoe Gowen,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
By removing color, the focus shifts to texture, light, gesture, and gaze — emphasizing the nuances of connection and the multiplicity of what love can look like beyond normative, romanticized ideals.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
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Social media platforms, including YouTube and X, have begun removing videos of the attack.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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