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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in thorough
trying all possibilities
police made a clean sweep of the area before the governor's arrival
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in simple
having no exceptions or restrictions
the clean joy of running that young children experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present
the ship returned with a clean hold
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to wipe
to remove the dirt from
we cleaned the clothes before donating them to charity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in completely
to a full extent or degree
the thief got clean away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Try This Instead
Try This InsteadFor
Try This
clean water
clean air
clean energy
clean rooms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clean
Emma Seymour Feb 3, Good Housekeeping, 3 Feb. 2023
Under the auspices of the Sustainable Marblehead Beach Cleaning team, led by Pam Roberts, groups of volunteers clean at least one beach in Marblehead each week, year-round.
—Bette Keva, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Feb. 2023
Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
At a worktable, several women were cleaning flowers, surrounded by buckets or peonies, roses, lilies and other blooms, freshly delivered that morning.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 3 July 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
Also known as overlock machines, sergers create strong, durable seams and help produce clean fabric edges.
—Emma Seymour Feb 3, Good Housekeeping, 3 Feb. 2023
Under the auspices of the Sustainable Marblehead Beach Cleaning team, led by Pam Roberts, groups of volunteers clean at least one beach in Marblehead each week, year-round.
—Bette Keva, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Feb. 2023
Verb
City Councilman Josh McBroom makes the point that the MDR (Member Directed Resource) will enable us to partly outsource our electricity to clean energy sources.
—Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 2025
At a worktable, several women were cleaning flowers, surrounded by buckets or peonies, roses, lilies and other blooms, freshly delivered that morning.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 3 July 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
-
Start with this three-piece rattan patio furniture set to maximize outdoor space, then check out this electric spin scrubber to keep hard surfaces spotless — without much elbow grease.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
1 July 2025
-
When Olof is done, the stovetop is spotless, the countertops positively sparkle and you could be blinded by the shine in our stainless-steel sink.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 June 2025
Adjective
-
On the other hand, an officer failing to identify themselves can have serious consequences for the legal defense of someone detained or arrested.—
Angele Latham,
The Tennessean,
7 July 2025
-
And with sports wagering now legal in more than half of U.S. states (38 and counting) in the U.S., Fantasy Life is well-situated as a portal for faciliating IRL sports betting.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Add in the pure creativity and skill of Lucas Raymond and Alex DeBrincat (legit competitors in their own rights, albeit in smaller bodies), and the two-way play of Dylan Larkin and Nate Danielson, and the future forward lineup starts to look pretty balanced.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
29 June 2025
-
As Electrek points out, the E-VO isn't a pure Honda product.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 29,
New Atlas,
29 June 2025
Adjective
-
This requires clear expectations, thorough documentation, and measuring success by deliverables rather than desk time.—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
Godsey said the state budget is no place for changes like this, which need thorough review and vetting.—
Jessie Balmert,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
The simplest ideas in mathematics can also be the most perplexing.—
Leila Sloman,
Wired News,
29 June 2025
-
When the drink is this simple, there’s nowhere for sub-par ingredients to hide.—
Jason O'Bryan,
Robb Report,
28 June 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
-
Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2023
Verb
-
Some racks can be left inside the oven during a self-clean cycle and wiped clean after the cycle completes.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
-
When the tattoo artist was finished and wiped the tattoo down — a common practice, as tattoos can ooze blood and ink — Washburn said the tattoo leaked more than what’s usually expected.—
Cara Lynn Shultz,
People.com,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
Kids who try to end-run this will have their streams removed and live chat disabled.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
-
The museum worked with American Airlines mechanics to remove those control surfaces.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share