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
Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
Methanol is a chemical with diverse uses and can be burned cleanly, producing no smoke.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 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
In a teardrop configuration, air flows smoothly around the widest point and rejoins cleanly in its wake, creating minimal turbulence, similar to the cross-section of an airplane wing.
—Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 29 Apr. 2026
Methanol is a chemical with diverse uses and can be burned cleanly, producing no smoke.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 23 Apr. 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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The surge in revenue also translated into hundreds of billions in losses for Americans who legally placed wagers in 2025 — an increase of roughly 11% from the previous year, according to the association’s figures.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
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If two Republican state senators had voted differently and done right by the people, a massive and legally dubious redrawing of Florida congressional districts would never have happened.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 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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Notably, Bauhinia blakeana is a sterile hybrid, resulting from the cross-pollination of two different plant varieties.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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Adding a plant to your bathroom is the ultimate way to infuse some personality into this sometimes sterile space.—
Lauren Wellbank,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Bringing your own way to brew is an easy solution that’s hygienic and can yield fresh, great-tasting coffee without breaking the bank.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
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Self-retracting nozzles are the most hygienic.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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To restore wage mobility and top-line household revenue, organizations need to unfreeze hiring and transition their AI strategies from pure human substitution to human augmentation.—
Katica Roy,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
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Consider any positivity that comes from the Oklahoma City series as pure gravy.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 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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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
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Since the vegetables are pre-washed, chopped, and handled more during processing, there is a higher risk of contamination.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The title track, with its glassy melody and woozy, almost stumbling groove, deploys wholesome, end-of-the-night, comedown energy not unlike Bicep’s most beloved tracks.—
Reid BG,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
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Pour the Cowboy Caviar into a bowl and serve it alongside Trader Joe's Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers for a wholesome and satisfying party appetizer or afternoon snack.—
Symiah Dorsey,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanly. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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