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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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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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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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
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026
Radiant, brighter skin that feels clean — not stripped!
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Then, stand 3 feet away from the surface to be cleaned and apply pressure.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
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
The beach there is wide, clean, and feels removed from the chaos of Miami Beach.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026
Radiant, brighter skin that feels clean — not stripped!
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Though the sticky sheet is still dominant in the shoe traction market, Gonzales compared it to cleaning eyeglasses with tape rather than a microfiber cloth.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
Then, stand 3 feet away from the surface to be cleaned and apply pressure.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
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
-
NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin shared that a local law enforcement source described the property as spotless, implying there were no signs a struggle had taken place inside the house.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The spotless streets are polished nightly by the feet of families licking ice cream.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Urban Prep, meanwhile, is embroiled in a legal battle with CPS to keep its two high schools open in Bronzeville and Englewood amid mounting financial woes.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But payouts won't be automatic, and legal experts said businesses could face other obstacles getting their money back.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm, and not ill-intended.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Sitting at a baby grand piano, Mars prompted swoons with his delivery of the lyrics, his pure voice holding notes with the same muscularity as early in the show.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet, that flexibility is completely meaningless unless anchored by a structured and thorough psychological approach.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Be thorough, because any little tubers that break off will grow many more plants.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Both include full integration of the climate controls into the screen, requiring more concentration to use and additional steps to make adjustments previously accomplished by pressing a simple button.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Scientists at Florida International University are developing a drug compound known as CTS2444-32, designed to reach deep brain regions affected by Parkinson's through a simple nasal delivery system.—
Ted Scouten,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
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
-
Gently wipe the cabinet, paying extra attention to spots around handles and edges.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
-
To get clean cuts of the cheesecake, use a sharp chef’s knife, run it through hot water, wipe it clean and then cut through the cake.—
Amisha Gurbani,
San Francisco Chronicle,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Still, states are seeing progress, often through intentional efforts to provide financial assistance or remove bureaucratic hurdles like account holds.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Weeks later, the Flyers removed the interim tag from Briere, hired Keith Jones as team president and were officially in a rebuild — and not afraid of using the word.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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