as in legally
according to the rules or the law
it was a cleanly fought match, so you have no grounds for complaint
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sanitary
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleanly
Jesse Granger, New York Times, 24 May 2026
When San Diego’s press did not arrive cleanly, Brian White and Thomas Müller turned the gaps into a clinic in timing, movement and decision-making.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 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 Avalanche have sorely missed Makar’s ability to skate the puck out of trouble in the defensive zone and get it cleanly and quickly through the neutral zone with his skating and passing.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 24 May 2026
When San Diego’s press did not arrive cleanly, Brian White and Thomas Müller turned the gaps into a clinic in timing, movement and decision-making.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 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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In many places, telehealth doctors and nurses are legally allowed to treat patients across state lines.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
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Those with motors of a certain size are legally classified as mopeds or motorcycles and cannot legally be ridden by anyone younger than age 16.—
Paul Sisson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Here's what our pros recommend for dusting your bedroom to keep it sanitary and easy to breathe in.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
-
It is treated similar to sanitary waste.—
Aman Kumar,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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The result is a sterile carousel of clubs at the top.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
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Visitors can see Mission Control, where teams watch every Mars landing live, and the sterile labs where the next generation of spacecraft are being built.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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Cleaning routines ensure hygienic conditions for people and pets.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 May 2026
-
From kitchen surfaces that collect crumbs to bathroom surfaces that accumulate bacteria and grime, certain spots around your home need routine cleaning to stay fresh and hygienic.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
24 May 2026
Adjective
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There are other ETFs branded under the space investing theme that have been in the market for years already, building portfolios of stocks that include pure-play, high-risk space exploration companies, satellite companies, and broader aerospace and defense sector names.—
Krysta Escobar,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
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The introduction of this tournament helped transform football from a pure enjoyment into a competitive sport, first played by amateurs and later by professionals.—
Thomas Adam,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Some are fortunate to have a source of clean water and pipes that ensure that water reaches residents' homes untainted.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
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Reich acknowledges there's no form of untainted money.—
Katia Riddle,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Look for ready-to-use packs of mixed mushrooms and pre-washed baby spinach to make cooking this frittata easy to prepare.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 May 2026
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This duvet cover gives bedding setups a relaxed yet elevated look with its pre-washed, drapey design.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Yet the wholesome image Crosby carefully cultivated would later be complicated by painful allegations from within his own family.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
2 June 2026
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Regular physical activity, a wholesome diet, sufficient sleep and stress management should be a priority.—
Suzanne Nuyen,
NPR,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanly. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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