clear 1 of 3

Definition of clearnext
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

clear

2 of 3

verb

1
2
as in to empty
to remove the contents of cleared a drawer so there would be a place to store his clothes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in to open
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way the early settlers worked hard to clear the land for crops

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
5
6
as in to smooth
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions plows promptly cleared the roads of snow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

7
8
9
10
11
as in to earn
to receive after charges and deductions have been made cleared enough from that stock transaction to be able to afford a new luxury automobile

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

12
as in to pay
to give what is owed for finally cleared the last debt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clear

3 of 3

adverb

as in through

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective clear contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of clear are limpid, translucent, and transparent. While all these words mean "capable of being seen through," clear implies absence of cloudiness, haziness, or muddiness.

clear water

When could limpid be used to replace clear?

Although the words limpid and clear have much in common, limpid suggests the soft clearness of pure water.

her eyes were limpid pools of blue

When can translucent be used instead of clear?

The synonyms translucent and clear are sometimes interchangeable, but translucent implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond.

translucent frosted glass

When would transparent be a good substitute for clear?

While the synonyms transparent and clear are close in meaning, transparent implies being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly.

a transparent sheet of film

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 clear
Adjective
Splitting up a portfolio this way can ensure diversification and help hold portfolio management teams accountable by giving them clear benchmarks to beat. Bloomberg, Oc Register, 10 June 2026 Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026
Verb
Law enforcement will remain in the area to clear the apartment and process the scene, the sheriff's office said. Reg Chapman, CBS News, 9 June 2026 Holly Andreatta conceded the 2nd District Placer County supervisor race, clearing the way for incumbent Shanti Landon to secure another four-year term after building a commanding lead in early election returns. Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Adverb
Tarling was particularly clear-headed about that risk. Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 Chelsea are due to have nine centre-backs, not including the possibility of any new signings, so this is an obvious department for a clear-out. Cerys Jones, New York Times, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for clear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear
Adjective
  • To further prevent obvious staining, choose darker flooring that won't show mud and dirt as easily.
    Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026
  • Black is an obvious choice, but purple, red, pink, navy, or even bolder choices like butter yellow, or orange can also work.
    Lauren Jones, The Spruce, 6 June 2026
Adjective
  • In the lawsuit, council members Adam Bazaldua, Paula Blackmon, and Cara Mendelsohn say the city manager, Kimberly Bizor Tolbert, and city secretary, Bilierae Johnson, violated the Texas Open Meetings Act, the city charter, and the city's requirements for a transparent government.
    S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 9 June 2026
  • In January, Maryland rapper IDK packaged transparent CD players with his Even the Devil Smiles mixtape; each disc includes a distinct bonus track no one else owns.
    John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 9 June 2026
Adjective
  • Rangel, who was 10 years old when Mexico tied South Africa in the opening match of the 2010 World Cup and who fondly remembers El Tri’s victory over France that tournament, is confident between the posts.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
  • Schaeffer, however, is confident that change is on the way.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Maybe not stuck in an urban jam, dodging potholes or crawling amid draconian speed limits – but out there on the open road, taking sunny corners in a nice car?
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 May 2026
  • Those marching orders left opponents and free speech advocates in disbelief, wondering how park employees were supposed to put a sunny spin on monuments acknowledging slavery, Jim Crow laws and the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.
    Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Adjective
  • Lemongrass May Have Blood Pressure-Lowering Effects Though far from conclusive, there is scant evidence that lemongrass may exert beneficial effects on your blood pressure.
    MD Published, Verywell Health, 6 June 2026
  • Data from Zillow was less conclusive, finding that only five out of the 10 cities saw a median rent increase by more than Los Angeles' 29%.
    Lindsay Kornick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Not all pads are alike, but a footprint on the larger side involves five to ten acres of cleared, packed ground that serves as the hub for drilling equipment, which can include wellheads, pump jacks, tanks, wastewater storage pits, trailers, and flare stacks.
    Alex Heard, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
  • What counts as a cleared sidewalk?
    Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • Why kill an innocent man for crossing an arbitrary line in the sand?
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • Three people are dead and she, a completely innocent party in this whole mess, is left holding the check.
    Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Adjective
  • Whatever political direction Democrats plan to take their party in two years at their National Convention to elect a presidential nominee, Denver offers a shining example of what a city looks like when governance goes right for many decades, led by heart and hard work.
    The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 5 May 2026
  • So naturally in a state that treats basketball like a religion and the sport’s biggest stars like royalty, nobody casts a bigger shadow in this community now than the slender 6-foot-6, 196-pound, 19-year-old freshman who changed Final Four weekend with one brilliant shining moment Sunday afternoon.
    Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on clear

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster