CLEANING Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

cleaning

verb

present participle of clean

as in scrubbing

to remove the dirt from we cleaned the clothes before donating them to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Over the years, state agencies and local governments have made attempts at cleaning Lake Jesup but none have been enough to turn the tide. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 July 2026 In addition to going after pollutants at the source, cleaning the air is another important step. — Dr. Lauren Zajac, Boston Herald, 19 July 2026 When cleaning, check for loose slats, nails, peeling paint, rot, and rust, and repair as needed. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 July 2026 Among the existing methods for cleaning flesh off a specimen is chemical treatment, but that tends to be bad for the environment and can degrade the skeleton. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 17 July 2026 Ease of cleaning Most Hamilton Beach microwaves have nonstick interiors made from stainless steel or porcelain enamel. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026 Then, cleaning robots would handle waste detection and room upkeep using AI. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026 Another green measure is the recycling of soap bars through cleaning solutions company Diversy’s Soap for Hope program. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 July 2026 Read on for the best chalk uses around the house that cleaning experts swear by. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 5 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleaning

Verb

SpaceX is planning to launch a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 24 Starlink satellites into low orbit on Tuesday after scrubbing the mission before takeoff on Monday.

— Lora Kolodny,Samantha Subin, CNBC, 21 July 2026
For hard-to-remove dirt, let the soapy solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 18 July 2026

Definition of scrubbing

Verb

Leaders add value by asking better questions, widening perspectives, connecting people, allocating resources and removing the obstacles that slow great work.

— Brent McHugh, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
The state added women to the workforce without removing men from their role as sole providers.

— Wael Mahdi, semafor.com, 21 July 2026

Definition of removing

Verb

Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS and Shakira were among those who performed at the World Cup's first ever half-time show, which stretched the break out to more than 27 minutes, drawing criticism from commentators and fans.

— Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 20 July 2026
The family isn’t concerned with staying in a specific culinary lane, instead, drawing inspiration from the greater Armenian diaspora.

— Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of drawing

Verb

They’ve been seen, for example, corralling schools of rays, creating waves to push penguins from ice blocks and extracting the livers of white sharks.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 23 July 2026
Previously, extracting valuable data from customer conversations was cumbersome.

— Anna Convery, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of extracting

Verb

As the risk of infection continues, Connecticut residents are urged to continue washing all produce in running water, scrubbing firm fruits and, to be safest, cooking produce to 158 degrees.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026
Employees also moved from one work station to the next without washing hands and changing gloves.

— Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026

Definition of washing

Verb

Germany’s biggest automaker is planning a massive restructuring and cost-cutting program in response to intensifying competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers and higher tariffs on its exports to the United States.

— Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 24 July 2026
This past winter, Madison lawmakers shot down a budget proposal that would have paid for a body camera program by cutting funds to the monitor.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026