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
Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Finally, when the huge tuna rolled belly-up on the surface, Flory stuck it cleanly with a hand gaff and got a rope around its tail.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 Jan. 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
No American silver bullet will cleanly depose Tehran’s Islamist leaders and peacefully transition the country to a stable, representative democracy.
—Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
Finally, when the huge tuna rolled belly-up on the surface, Flory stuck it cleanly with a hand gaff and got a rope around its tail.
—Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 14 Jan. 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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And local networks that offer instruction and training for how to legally observe ICE raids are proliferating by the day.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
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Pretti, who was legally carrying a firearm under Minnesota’s permit-to-carry laws, was killed during a clash with federal agents deployed as part of an immigration enforcement surge.—
Karen Brooks Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The only five-star hotel in Barcelona certified by LEED International, the energy used to heat the sanitary water supply and the rooftop pool in winter is obtained via heat recovery of the air conditioning.—
Isabelle Kliger,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Jan. 2026
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The system is sanitary and BPA- and latex-free.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This makes your home feel intentional and personal instead of sterile and unoriginal.—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
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Many japonica camellias, in the manner of other botanical hybrids, are sterile with their yellow, thread-like stamens and stigmas either absent or invisible.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Regular washing not only keeps your pillows fresh and hygienic but also helps them last longer.—
Anyssa Roberts,
The Spruce,
26 Jan. 2026
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Though the Romans sought to improve these conditions, a separate study at Hadrian’s Wall found that the Romans could not always maintain the hygienic standards they were known for.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But from a pure wrestling standpoint, Styles-Nakamura.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
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Their expertise and pure joy for all the young talents growing and achieving through their guidance and support uplifts the enthusiastic energy of the teammates, their families and the entire ranch, according to the news release.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Homeland’s borders are drawn in untainted blood, its sanctity exemplified in proper gender conduct and the fulfillment of gender roles.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, a transparent, independent and untainted investigation is not optional.—
Phil Morris The Minnesota Star Tribune,
Arkansas Online,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The age of white-washed, super scant, and industrial spaces are behind us.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
8 Jan. 2026
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Eddie Bauer Queen-Size Troutdale Green Quilt Set Eddie Bauer’s light gray plaid quilt set comes pre-washed for extra softness.—
Kenedee Fowler,
Southern Living,
29 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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There is something wholesome and delightful about the friendship between Selena Gomez and her Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
22 Jan. 2026
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Florida’s merit selection process for appointing judges was based on the wholesome idea that they should be chosen for their legal knowledge and integrity without any regard to their politics.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanly. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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