as in legally
according to the rules or the law
it was a cleanly fought match, so you have no grounds for complaint
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sanitary
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleanly
Dan Mangan,leslie Josephs,spencer Kimball,cj Haddad,justin Papp,jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
While the Morgan Stanley thesis reflects historical optimism, history’s lessons may not apply cleanly in a situation with a shift from tools that amplify labor to systems that replace cognition.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
Ripa smiled at the camera with cleanly arched eyebrows, long eyelashes and long blonde locks that fell past her shoulders.
—Jill Lupupa, Peoplemag, 7 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cleanly
Adverb
The issue does not break cleanly along partisan lines, and passage in either chamber was uncertain.
—Dan Mangan,leslie Josephs,spencer Kimball,cj Haddad,justin Papp,jordan Novet, CNBC, 28 Feb. 2026
While the Morgan Stanley thesis reflects historical optimism, history’s lessons may not apply cleanly in a situation with a shift from tools that amplify labor to systems that replace cognition.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Among the 21 artists are Julia Chon and Dave Young Kim, who offer cleanly hard-edge paintings of, respectively, a woman in traditional garb and two storks below two strands of barbed wire.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023
Ripa smiled at the camera with cleanly arched eyebrows, long eyelashes and long blonde locks that fell past her shoulders.
—Jill Lupupa, Peoplemag, 7 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for cleanly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanly
Adverb
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Those who received their letters late Wednesday or Thursday could not legally drive to the department office to change their license.—
David Williams,
CNN Money,
5 Mar. 2026
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Jarosz added that the Sheriff’s Office cannot legally obstruct another law enforcement agency from carrying out its duties.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For livestock, this would include potable water, sanitary living conditions and access to a windbreak such as a building or tree line.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Results showed 80% of respondents voted no, citing both sanitary and ethical concerns.—
Reia Li,
AZCentral.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Plants can seed readily, so look for sterile varieties such as 'Select Blue', 'Walker’s Low', or 'Cat’s Meow' that won’t become weedy in the garden.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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Mulch To maintain healthy strawberries, Montgomery places a sterile straw around the plants and then applies an additional layer of mulch on top.—
Lauren Wellbank,
Martha Stewart,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The texture is rich, so a little goes a long way; use a spatula to keep things hygienic and scoop out the necessary amount.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
26 Feb. 2026
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However, air-drying dishes in a dish rack may be the most hygienic method.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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About 10 minutes into the party, pure silence blanketed the room.—
Sofia Zarran,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
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Young is pure New York, having grown up at Sleepy Hollow when his father was the head pro.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The judge instead asked for more evidence that the money was untainted.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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To get the hardening benefit, the metal must be untainted.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Better Homes & Gardens Paisley Medallion Cotton Quilt To keep you cool throughout the warmer seasons, the BHG x Walmart quilt is made from 100% cotton with a pre-washed and pre-shrunk cotton fill for maximum softness, comfort, and breathability.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2026
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Both are formulated with ultra-fine rice starches that dissipate without a trace and absorb product buildup for that just-washed, clean look.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Picture a neighborhood where families are stretched thin just trying to put food on the table, but right on the corner is a welcoming market stocked with wholesome, unsold food from local grocery stores and farms.—
Patty Oconnor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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The spotlight is on fresh kale in this wholesome, simple dish.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanly. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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