1
as in scrubbing
to remove the dirt from
we cleaned the clothes before donating them to charity
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2
as in removing
to take the internal organs out of
cleaned the rabbit before cooking it
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Recent Examples of cleaning
The great-great-grandson of Frank Zamboni, the inventor of his namesake ice-cleaning vehicle, attended his first postseason game since the Comeback on Katella, a Ducks double-overtime victory over Edmonton in the second round in 2017.
—
Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
However, Steve Evans, owner of Memphis Maids, extolls the virtues of regularly cleaning above and around your cabinetry.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
These eight thin nylon brushes are best used for straw, thread and cap cleaning.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
These are large canvas projects, like cleaning an Old Master painting.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
With spring cleaning underway, some residents said the noise and exhaust have become too much.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
When cleaning, use as little water as possible on your mop head and avoid steam cleaning them—a spray mop will allow for better control and distribution of water or cleaning solution.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Sara Aparacio, a resident cleaning expert at Homeaglow, equates scrubbing an appliance with an abrasive sponge to rubbing it with very fine sandpaper.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
This one task on your spring cleaning checklist takes about an hour — and the payoff lasts for months.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
However, Steve Evans, owner of Memphis Maids, extolls the virtues of regularly cleaning above and around your cabinetry.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 25 Apr. 2026
These eight thin nylon brushes are best used for straw, thread and cap cleaning.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
These are large canvas projects, like cleaning an Old Master painting.
—Literary Hub, 24 Apr. 2026
With spring cleaning underway, some residents said the noise and exhaust have become too much.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
When cleaning, use as little water as possible on your mop head and avoid steam cleaning them—a spray mop will allow for better control and distribution of water or cleaning solution.
—Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Sara Aparacio, a resident cleaning expert at Homeaglow, equates scrubbing an appliance with an abrasive sponge to rubbing it with very fine sandpaper.
—Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 11 Apr. 2026
This one task on your spring cleaning checklist takes about an hour — and the payoff lasts for months.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleaning
Verb
-
Not every screen is in perfect condition, and scrubbing too aggressively can cause damage.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Simply soak a fresh sheet in water for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing away.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This would be achieved by making the flying experience less like an airplane and more like an automobile, including replacing mechanical control linkages with fly-by-wire systems, even removing the traditional rudder pedals.—
David Szondy
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Experts recommend removing outdated tags before each trip and using airline apps or tracking devices for better visibility.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Two researchers, Zoltan Bereczki and Robert Bork, took Lechler’s Sacrament House drawing literally and used 3-D software to translate the artistic rendering into a detailed digital model.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
23 Apr. 2026
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The backstory Penang is a mosaic of ethnic influences—the result of waves of immigration that peaked in the 18th and 19th centuries, drawing merchants and laborers from various parts of the world.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An employee reportedly did not properly wash a ladle after using, only rinsing it with water and drying it with a paper towel.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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To do so, after unplugging and disassembling the humidifier and removing and rinsing the filter, fill the water tank with a gallon of water and one teaspoon of bleach.—
Terri Williams,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Phalaborwa project aims to start extracting rare earths from the two huge dunes in 2028.—
Michelle Gumede,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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Authorities arrested Atajurt’s founder Serikzhan Bilash in 2019, releasing him into exile after extracting a promise not to engage in political activities.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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You will be assigned a personal chef who cooks breakfast and dinners that are low in carbs but high in flavors, headlining the palate-cleansing Asian flavors of chili, ginger, and lime.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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While cleansing conditioners will gently clean your curls, don’t expect the product to lather much.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Vesia surrendered a two-run triple to Swanson and an RBI single to Nico Hoerner, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to one.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Part of that includes 'cutting the pond' using machinery to dig through the sand and allow water to flow in and out.—
Jacob Wycoff,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The next day, Nataliia was washing the landing outside of her apartment with vinegar, as advised by officials, when an evacuation order was issued.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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This includes drinking water, water used for brushing teeth, washing for washing dishes and water for food preparation, officials said.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleaning. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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