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clean

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verb

clean

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adverb

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clean water
drinkable water
safe water
fresh water
clean air
non-polluted air
pollutant-free air
pure air
clean energy
green energy
renewable energy
low-pollution energy
clean rooms
spotless rooms
white rooms
intact rooms
clean lines
perfect lines
flawless lines
nice lines
crisp lines
simple lines

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of clean
Adjective
Also known as overlock machines, sergers create strong, durable seams and help produce clean fabric edges. Emma Seymour Feb 3, Good Housekeeping, 3 Feb. 2023 Under the auspices of the Sustainable Marblehead Beach Cleaning team, led by Pam Roberts, groups of volunteers clean at least one beach in Marblehead each week, year-round. Bette Keva, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Feb. 2023
Verb
Conservators cleaned every surface by hand with gentle materials. Laurie Gwen Shapiro, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025 That said, very large models may feel a bit unwieldy when cleaning them and be difficult to fit in most sinks. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025
Adverb
Natural Gas: Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel source that is generally less expensive than other fuels. Gannon Burgett, Car and Driver, 28 Mar. 2023 These services sell carbon credits offered by NGOs and governments that, using offset proceeds, plant mangroves, distribute clean-burning stoves, preserve grasslands, and install digesters to capture cooking gas from manure among other types of projects. Time, 21 Oct. 2022 See All Example Sentences for clean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clean
Adjective
  • Vultures are uniquely good at cleaning up a carcass and can leave an entire cow spotless within 40 minutes.
    Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 July 2025
  • His early start ensures that Crosby Elementary is spotless and everything is in place, allowing for a smooth start to the day for everyone.
    Magda Liszewska, Oc Register, 13 July 2025
Adjective
  • Applying it to the business sector, climate activists will bring new legal challenges against oil companies for human rights violations.
    Jon McGowan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
  • Hemp is a low-THC version of marijuana, and thus legal in Wisconsin, even though both marijuana and hemp come from cannabis plants.
    Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 31 July 2025
Adjective
  • Citing the Base Realignment and Closure commission example is pure illusion.
    U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • But given that season 2 is yet to be confirmed, this is pure speculation.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • One of the key panels of the conference highlighted the importance of this efficient, effective, and thorough communication across the organization.
    Mena Mirhom, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
  • Rebuilding company trust requires honest leadership, true accountability and a thorough examination of the company’s values — and whether they’re being lived or merely listed on the company website.
    Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 29 July 2025
Adjective
  • Looking for their environmental DNA in scales, slime or skin cells that living beings shed all the time is a simpler way, Workman said.
    Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
  • This involves flexible decision making beyond simple automation.
    Ian Gotts, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Go over everything with a clean rag dipped in your soapy solution, wiping every surface.
    Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 25 July 2025
  • Since this is a closed beta test, that means there will be a cap on how many players are allowed entry and all characters and progress will be wiped after the testing period.
    David Jagneaux, Forbes.com, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • Promptly remove former employees or admins Regularly audit account access and revoke permissions for anyone who no longer needs it.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
  • The work includes removing asphalt surface and placing new waterproofing, a new asphalt surface and associated items.
    Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 20 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

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