1
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
2
as in removing
to take the internal organs out of
cleaned the rabbit before cooking it
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of cleaning
Abrasive cleaners like steel wool pads, bleach, and chlorine should always be avoided when cleaning stainless steel.
—
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
This echoes the fact that lemon was a preferred cleaning agent in the past.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
According to the Michigan State Police, the Salvation Army and the nonprofit Disaster Relief at Work were going door-to-door on Saturday with meals and cleaning supplies in Union City and Three Rivers.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
The body double doesn’t have to be helping with the activity like cleaning or doing homework, but their mere presence helps the individual remain focused.
—Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Growing up, Silva-Soto joined her mom’s long shifts cleaning houses and delivering stacks of Journal Inquirer newspapers.
—Anna Heqimi, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
The frequency of cleaning hummingbird feeders and replenishing their nectar varies by season and temperature, according to the National Audubon Society.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Mar. 2026
Instead, old towels can be repurposed in a number of ways around the home, from cleaning rags to even makeup pads.
—Rabekah Henderson, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
Jyren Thomas knew cleaning airplanes every night couldn’t be his forever job.
—Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
This echoes the fact that lemon was a preferred cleaning agent in the past.
—Wendy Rose Gould, Martha Stewart, 7 Mar. 2026
According to the Michigan State Police, the Salvation Army and the nonprofit Disaster Relief at Work were going door-to-door on Saturday with meals and cleaning supplies in Union City and Three Rivers.
—Nick Lentz, CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
The body double doesn’t have to be helping with the activity like cleaning or doing homework, but their mere presence helps the individual remain focused.
—Sofia Zarran, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Growing up, Silva-Soto joined her mom’s long shifts cleaning houses and delivering stacks of Journal Inquirer newspapers.
—Anna Heqimi, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
The frequency of cleaning hummingbird feeders and replenishing their nectar varies by season and temperature, according to the National Audubon Society.
—Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 6 Mar. 2026
Instead, old towels can be repurposed in a number of ways around the home, from cleaning rags to even makeup pads.
—Rabekah Henderson, The Spruce, 27 Feb. 2026
Jyren Thomas knew cleaning airplanes every night couldn’t be his forever job.
—Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleaning
Verb
-
For stubborn soot, repeat the process rather than scrubbing aggressively.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Rather than stressing over social niceties, sitting in ornate carriages and snacking on cream cakes, Sophie daydreams while scrubbing floors and delivering tea.—
Madeline Hirsch,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When removing the 3% annual increase cities and counties were already allowed, the cap amounted to a 5% budget increase from growth.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
There are several organic methods for removing these persistent weeds, and some are more effective than others.—
Alexandra Jones,
The Spruce,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cole previously quipped about the BAFTA situation at the NAACP Image Awards earlier this month, drawing backlash.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Unexpectedly, Walden’s band became his calling card, ultimately drawing prominent record producer David Foster into his orbit.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This is the reason many food safety experts agree that rinsing raw fish and meats isn’t a good idea.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Others scrub into the grout and need rinsing immediately.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
No need to spend another six months extracting and testing cells.—
Ryan Brennan
March 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The operation in KwaZulu-Natal province is focused on extracting zircon, rutile, ilmenite, and titanium oxide — critical ingredients in products such as paint, sunscreen, and smartphones.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Nighttime routines used to consist of cleansing your face, putting on a basic retinol, and finishing with a generous slathering of Pond's Cream.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The rain continues, cleansing the city of its grime.—
Rodrigo Hasbún,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After cutting direct military aid to Ukraine last year, Washington even reached out to Kyiv for its expertise in countering Iranian drones, which Russia uses to attack it.—
Robin Wright,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
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During one spurt, the freshman put up eight points in less than four minutes, cutting UCLA’s lead to 11.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Is there anything more comfortable than slipping into bed after washing and drying your sheets?—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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The same rule applies to washing dishes in a dirty dishwasher.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleaning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleaning. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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