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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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
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Clint Davis, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
The cookware is easy to clean, oven-safe, induction-compatible and has high-visibility glass lids.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 June 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for clean
Adjective
One half of me belonged to the unvarnished truth of the earth — a father and a climber, defined by the clean grit of granite and sandstone, and the weight of my son’s hand in mine.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
Verb
The Slushi’s removable parts are dishwasher safe, and there’s a rinse setting that cleans off the metal cooling element in a snap.
—Clint Davis, PEOPLE, 14 May 2026
The cookware is easy to clean, oven-safe, induction-compatible and has high-visibility glass lids.
—ABC News, 14 May 2026
Adverb
Up to this point, Eloise has been a staunch proponent of Penelope coming clean to Colin and quitting the Lady Whistledown operation for good.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 13 June 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for clean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clean
Adjective
-
After church, my sisters and I dutifully helped my mother prepare lunch and clean up afterward, returning the kitchen to its spotless state.—
Maria Giesbrecht,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
-
The interior of the ship was also immaculate, Sadasivan said, with rooms disinfected daily and communal spaces spotless.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
10 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Sun forms a cazimi with Mercury in Taurus in your 9th House of Perspective, bringing a powerful insight around travel, education, publishing, legal matters, or a goal that stretches your worldview.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
Murdaugh, the scion of a prominent South Carolina legal dynasty, was convicted in March 2023 in the murder of his 22-year-old son, Paul, and his wife, Margaret.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Recently, marinated, raw tuna cubes sat on top of a creamy hazelnut and bean pure while a fatty pork jowl was balanced by a tart salsa verde and sprigs of purslane.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
The only risk to consider here is Seattle’s pure dominance at home.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Removing Stains From Your Microwave Baking soda gives more than a thorough cleaning.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
-
Rinse under cold water 1 minute, shaking to ensure a thorough rinse.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The useful answer may be simpler than expected once the real priority becomes obvious.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
The decor with sheepskin rugs and arm lamps for reading lights is neither flashy nor overtly quirky, but simple and homey, as if it were designed by a tasteful Scandinavian grandmother who relocated to the wilds of Patagonia.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Long, patient takes devoid of nondiegetic elements immerse us in Misael’s rudimentary existence, with birdsong and cracking branches working together with DP Cobi Migliori’s handsome long-shot compositions to create a trancelike atmosphere.—
Beatrice Loayza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
The first is that, for now at least, this is a fairly low-key and easy-to-watch western drama, largely devoid of the culture war button-pushing that makes Sheridan shows likeLandman and The Madison so maddening.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Rub it across the grates until the residue is removed, then wipe them down with a damp cloth and start planning your next cookout.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
-
Mix 1 tablespoon of laundry detergent into a bucket of warm water and gently wipe the wall clean.—
Ryan Brennan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Critics of the renaming say keeping Trotter’s name could allow the college to confront its history rather than remove visible reminders of it.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
12 May 2026
-
In his lawsuit, Elon Musk is seeking $150 billion in damages, for Altman to be removed from OpenAI and for the company to be returned to nonprofit status.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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