1
as in scrubbing
to remove the dirt from
we cleaned the clothes before donating them to charity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in removing
to take the internal organs out of
cleaned the rabbit before cooking it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 cleaning
An 11-year-old named Ashton built a viral bin-cleaning business by simply addressing a local need.
—
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
To incorporate dryer sheets into your oven rack-cleaning, line a layer of dryer sheets on top of your old towel in the bottom of the bathtub, add the rack(s), and cover the rack(s) with more dryer sheets.
—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
27 June 2026
This budget-friendly model offers a 20-foot cable and attachments for cleaning stairs, upholstery and more.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
26 June 2026
Best Prime Day Robot Vacuum and Mop Deals The Ecovas Deebot X11 OmniCyclone is a 2-in-1 cleaning machine featuring four-wheel drive, fantastic suction, and self-emptying capabilities.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
26 June 2026
The brand’s machines are compact, efficient, and cut out pre- and post-brew work — like loading the coffee pot with grounds and cleaning it after your last cup.
—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
Angela Cerreta, deputy head restorer for paintings and wooden materials, told the Art Newspaper that restorers will first attend to unstable paint before cleaning the frescoes with fiber lasers.
—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
26 June 2026
Scott Schrader is the chief marketing manager at the home-cleaning company CottageCare in Colorado.
—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
The project to renovate the Reflecting Pool included draining, cleaning and refinishing.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Sarah Hernholm,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2026
To incorporate dryer sheets into your oven rack-cleaning, line a layer of dryer sheets on top of your old towel in the bottom of the bathtub, add the rack(s), and cover the rack(s) with more dryer sheets.
—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
27 June 2026
This budget-friendly model offers a 20-foot cable and attachments for cleaning stairs, upholstery and more.
—
Bestreviews,
Mercury News,
26 June 2026
Best Prime Day Robot Vacuum and Mop Deals The Ecovas Deebot X11 OmniCyclone is a 2-in-1 cleaning machine featuring four-wheel drive, fantastic suction, and self-emptying capabilities.
—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
26 June 2026
The brand’s machines are compact, efficient, and cut out pre- and post-brew work — like loading the coffee pot with grounds and cleaning it after your last cup.
—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
26 June 2026
Angela Cerreta, deputy head restorer for paintings and wooden materials, told the Art Newspaper that restorers will first attend to unstable paint before cleaning the frescoes with fiber lasers.
—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
26 June 2026
Scott Schrader is the chief marketing manager at the home-cleaning company CottageCare in Colorado.
—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 June 2026
The project to renovate the Reflecting Pool included draining, cleaning and refinishing.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleaning
Verb
-
Never worry about scrubbing away stains from your pets or children again with this powerful carpet and upholstery cleaner.
-
The best way to apply this paste is either with your scrubbing applicator or a scraper to make sure there's an even application along the grout lines.
Verb
-
Regular care prevents yellowing by removing oils and buildup that dull fabrics over time.
-
Bart Jansen Trump called the court removing restrictions on political spending a victory for Republicans and free speech.
Verb
-
Carve Out an Outdoor Shower For rinsing off after a day at the nearby beach, Wood installed an outdoor shower.
-
This can be done by rinsing or wiping the board with a dishcloth or paper towel.
Verb
-
Netherlands finished top of Group F by beating Sweden and Tunisia after drawing with Japan, to set up the meeting with Group C runners-up Morocco.
-
Volunteers organized the supplies — toothbrushes, baby wipes, instant soup and many other items — and loaded them into boxes, drawing hearts on the outside with magic marker.
Verb
-
Naturally, there’s a spa too, specializing in hammam rituals that include a foam massage and hair cleansing to wash out that Bosphorus brine.
-
Contrary to what those face-washing commercials from our childhood led us to believe, your skin doesn't need to feel tight or squeaky-clean after cleansing.
Verb
-
The government is also extracting data from devices that law enforcement recently seized, Winik added.
-
The organizations extracting the most value have redesigned workflows around what AI makes possible.
Verb
-
Add the sheets to the dryer immediately after washing to prevent mildew—don't let damp sheets sit in the machine.
-
After the father left the family, Nan Blyth supported herself and two daughters by washing clothes and working in beauty parlors.
Verb
-
The lineup already was revving, as Rushing homered in the second inning while Sasaki was still in the game, and both Kyle Tucker and Muncy drove in runs off starter Randy Vasquez in the third, cutting the deficit to two.
-
The Rockets essentially dumped Finney-Smith in a cost-cutting move after making some free agent transactions, notably signing guard Marcus Smart, and surrendered three second-rounders to the Hornets to seal the deal.
Cite this Entry
“Cleaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleaning. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
