Synonyms of clear

clear 1 of 3

adjective

ˈklir 

1

as in obvious

not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation

the meaning of her broad smile was clear to the whole class

Synonyms & Similar Words

• obvious
• evident
• apparent
• unmistakable
• straightforward
• distinct
• broad
• transparent
• unambiguous
• visible
• lucid
• clear-cut
• unequivocal
• simple
• decided
• manifest
• plain
• ringing
• perspicuous
• crystal clear
• luminous
• explicit
• pellucid
• palpable
• comprehensible
• understandable
• noticeable
• bright-line
• intelligible
• bald
• patent
• tangible
• open-and-shut
• barefaced
• unambivalent
• nonambiguous
• luculent
• bald-faced
• recognizable
• tidy
• appreciable
• knowable
• discernible
• digestible
• sensible
• uncomplicated
• observable
• perceptible
• overt
• cognizable
• self-explanatory
• self-evident
• comprehendible
• clean-cut
• graspable
• readable
• legible
• fathomable
• undisguised
• clean
• trenchant
• decipherable
• black-and-white
• well-defined
• cognoscible
• fair

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unclear
• ambiguous
• dark
• obscure
• mysterious
• indistinct
• clouded
• cryptic
• equivocal
• enigmatic
• unintelligible
• incomprehensible
• indecipherable
• unfathomable
• vague
• unknowable
• subtle
• unapparent
• gray
• imperceptible
• unclarified
• hazy
• nonobvious
• cloudy
• obfuscated
• slippery
• nebulous
• indefinite
• indeterminate
• impalpable
• murky
• sketchy
• inappreciable
• misty
• imprecise
• insensible
• noncommittal
• indiscernible
• illegible
• unreadable
• gauzy
• undecipherable

2

as in transparent

easily seen through

the clear glass walls of the aquarium's giant ocean tank

Synonyms & Similar Words

• transparent
• translucent
• liquid
• crystalline
• crystal
• crystal clear
• limpid
• lucid
• pellucid
• sheer
• lucent
• see-through
• uncolored
• colorless
• semitransparent
• diaphanous
• glassy
• vitreous
• semitranslucent
• transparentized

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opaque
• cloudy
• colored
• dark
• hazy
• foggy
• dense
• nebulous
• misty
• smoky
• muddy
• tinted
• murky
• glazed
• turbid
• filmy

3

as in certain

having or showing a mind free from doubt

I need to be absolutely clear about what you're saying

Synonyms & Similar Words

• certain
• sure
• positive
• confident
• assured
• implicit
• doubtless
• sanguine
• cocksure
• resolute
• decisive
• unwavering
• unhesitating
• self-assured
• self-confident
• unquestioning
• unfaltering
• self-conceited

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• doubtful
• unsure
• dubious
• hesitant
• indecisive
• unassuming
• wavering
• vacillating
• diffident

4

as in sunny

not stormy or cloudy

novice pilots can only fly on clear days

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sunny
• bright
• cloudless
• fair
• unclouded
• mild
• peaceful
• sunshiny
• gentle
• moderate
• calm
• pleasant
• serene
• temperate
• tranquil
• balmy
• placid
• fine
• clement
• halcyon

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• cloudy
• rough
• dirty
• raw
• bleak
• turbulent
• severe
• stormy
• foul
• rainy
• harsh
• overcast
• nasty
• tempestuous
• inclement
• breezy
• squally
• hazy
• murky
• foggy
• blustery
• gusty
• misty
• sunless
• blustering
• soupy

5

as in conclusive

serving to put an end to all debate or questioning

the evidence is clear: he's innocent

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conclusive
• decisive
• definitive
• last
• determinative
• deciding
• determinate
• definite
• absolute
• compelling
• irrefutable
• convincing
• indisputable
• incontrovertible
• unquestionable
• undeniable
• unambiguous
• incontestable
• positive
• dispositive
• unequivocal
• undisputable
• unanswerable
• indubitable
• undisputed
• uncontested
• unchallenged
• sure
• inarguable
• telling
• cogent
• undebatable
• persuasive
• certain
• hands-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unclear
• inconclusive
• problematic
• doubtful
• questionable
• ambiguous
• debatable
• indecisive
• moot
• disputable
• equivocal
• controversial
• refutable
• disputed
• doubtable
• debated

6

as in unobstructed

allowing passage without obstruction

flooding was widespread, and only some roads are clear so far

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unobstructed
• open
• navigable
• cleared
• empty
• emptied
• unclosed
• free
• wide
• unclogged
• unlocked
• unstopped
• revealed
• exposed
• passable
• vacant
• unoccupied
• gaping
• unsealed
• enterable
• unfolded
• unfurled
• unfastened
• unbuttoned
• unlatched
• yawning
• unbarred
• unbolted
• unclenched
• unzipped
• unclasped

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• blocked
• stopped
• closed
• shut
• clogged
• obstructed
• plugged
• uncleared
• stuffed
• impassable
• jammed
• hampered
• hindered
• constricted
• cramped
• gated
• dammed
• encumbered
• impeded
• blockaded
• trammeled
• interfered (with)
• barricaded

7

as in innocent

free from guilt or blame

slept with a clear conscience

Synonyms & Similar Words

• innocent
• acquitted
• in the clear
• cleared
• blameless
• faultless
• irreproachable
• impeccable
• guiltless
• lily-white
• ethical
• moral
• cleanhanded
• inculpable
• vindicated
• absolved
• virtuous
• righteous
• upright
• exonerated
• law-abiding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• guilty
• culpable
• punishable
• indictable
• accused
• impeachable
• blameworthy
• censurable
• blamable
• condemned
• convicted
• indicted
• shamefaced
• hangdog
• impeached
• shamed

8

as in shining

giving off or reflecting much light

spermaceti candles were once highly prized for the clear flame that they produced

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shining
• luminous
• glowing
• bright
• dazzling
• shiny
• brilliant
• radiant
• gleaming
• flashing
• sparkling
• shimmering
• lucid
• blazing
• flickering
• splendid
• lustrous
• glistening
• burning
• glittering
• blinding
• lucent
• effulgent
• incandescent
• refulgent
• polished
• beaming
• lambent
• flaming
• fiery
• shined
• fulgent
• candescent
• sheeny
• bedazzling
• sunny
• glaring
• glancing
• ardent
• twinkling
• winking
• shimmery
• scintillating
• burnished
• flaring
• glimmering
• red-hot
• gemmy
• glinting
• scintillant
• ablaze
• glistering
• aglitter
• combusting
• agleam
• coruscant
• ultrabright
• superbright

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dim
• dull
• dark
• obscure
• lackluster
• murky
• obscured
• darkened
• gloomy
• blackened
• somber
• dusky
• cloudy
• dimmed
• unlit
• darkish
• pitch-black
• shadowy
• pitch-dark
• darkling
• lightless
• unbright
• pale
• shady
• gray
• unbrilliant
• darksome
• tenebrous
• leaden
• sunless
• shadowlike
• palish

clear

2 of 3

verb

1

as in to rid

to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers

cleared the woods of brush

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rid
• relieve
• free
• divest
• unburden
• liberate
• disencumber
• loose
• loosen
• rescue
• disburden
• spring
• emancipate
• bail (out)
• discharge
• enfranchise
• redeem
• extricate
• release
• deliver
• disentangle
• disengage
• unfetter
• uncage
• unbind
• unchain
• manumit

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• burden
• encumber
• saddle
• subject
• hamper
• restrain
• weight (down)
• bog (down)
• weigh down
• shackle
• fetter

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

• empty
• evacuate
• clean
• eliminate
• vacate
• void
• drain
• sweep
• draw (off)
• purge
• exhaust
• waste
• flush
• deplete
• bleed
• scour

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• fill
• load

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

• open
• facilitate
• unblock
• smooth
• free
• strip
• loosen (up)
• unplug
• ease
• unstop
• unchoke
• unclog
• unclutter

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• block
• close
• stop
• obstruct
• dam
• plug
• clog
• clutter (up)

4

as in to clarify

to remove usually visible impurities from

cleared the car windows

Synonyms & Similar Words

• clarify
• filter
• clean
• fine
• extract
• refine
• purify
• process
• distill
• wash
• purge
• garble
• rectify
• sift
• cleanse
• decontaminate
• leach
• disinfect
• screen
• sieve
• sanitize
• elutriate
• bolt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dull
• muddy
• dirty
• cloud
• soil
• contaminate
• pollute
• taint
• defile
• besmirch
• foul
• sully
• begrime

5

as in to free

to set free from entanglement or difficulty

cleared himself of any involvement in the matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

• free
• save
• liberate
• extricate
• cut loose
• disentangle
• redeem
• disengage
• rescue
• untangle
• release
• disembarrass
• deliver
• unravel
• unburden
• untie
• disencumber
• unsnarl
• disburden
• untwine

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impede
• hinder
• obstruct
• hamper
• block
• burden
• embroil
• weigh
• entangle
• load
• encumber

6

as in to smooth

to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions

plows promptly cleared the roads of snow

Synonyms & Similar Words

• open
• smooth
• facilitate
• free
• unstop
• unplug
• unclog
• loosen (up)
• ease

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• close
• stop
• block
• dam (up)
• impede
• clog (up)
• hinder
• plug (up)
• interfere (with)
• obstruct
• hamper
• encumber
• constrict
• blockade
• trammel
• barricade

7

as in to acquit

to free from a charge of wrongdoing

she had once been accused of embezzlement, but an investigation by the bank cleared her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• acquit
• vindicate
• absolve
• exonerate
• forgive
• exculpate
• excuse
• liberate
• release
• atone (for)
• redeem
• condone
• discharge
• pardon
• redress
• remit
• avenge
• expiate
• revenge
• whitewash
• unburden

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incriminate
• charge
• accuse
• impeach
• indict
• criminate
• convict
• arraign

8

as in to approve

to give official acceptance of as satisfactory

the administration cleared the plan, and building should begin shortly

Synonyms & Similar Words

• approve
• ratify
• confirm
• finalize
• accept
• endorse
• sign
• sanction
• acknowledge
• OK
• authorize
• formalize
• warrant
• initial
• affirm
• approbate
• accredit
• validate
• enable
• homologate
• bless
• certify
• permit
• allow
• pass
• sanctify
• license
• legalize
• sign off (on)
• rubber-stamp
• reapprove
• canonize

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• deny
• negative
• reject
• turn down
• disallow
• decline
• prohibit
• veto
• disapprove
• ignore
• forbid
• disregard
• ban
• proscribe
• enjoin
• overlook
• refuse
• neglect
• interdict
• rebut
• illegalize
• spurn
• rebuff

9

as in to remove

to take away from a place or position

cleared the dishes from the table

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remove
• withdraw
• pull
• draw
• take out
• extract
• dislodge
• abstract
• draw out
• move
• cut
• shift
• draw off
• disturb
• transfer
• demount
• budge
• displace
• transpose
• dislocate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• put
• place
• position
• set
• secure
• mount
• fix
• anchor
• stick
• hitch
• clamp
• set up
• site
• embed
• root
• lodge
• entrench
• situate
• moor
• implant
• ingrain

10

as in to inform

to give information to

please clear my mind about the new arrangement regarding reimbursement for traveling expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• inform
• tell
• advise
• brief
• instruct
• teach
• apprise
• fill in
• familiarize
• educate
• alert
• enlighten
• clue (in)
• verse
• acquaint
• notify
• hip
• let someone know
• catch up
• wise (up)
• keep (someone) posted
• assure
• convince
• reassure
• disclose (to)
• announce (to)
• advertise
• lecture
• certify
• school
• warrant
• disabuse
• disillusion
• undeceive
• tutor
• disenchant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• mislead
• misinform

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

• earn
• make
• get
• realize
• gain
• net
• clean up
• garner
• rake (in)
• cash in (on)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gross

12

as in to pay

to give what is owed for

finally cleared the last debt

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pay
• meet
• stand
• settle
• balance
• pay off
• pay up
• discharge
• liquidate
• spring (for)
• foot
• quit
• ante (up)
• pony up
• recompense

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• repudiate

clear

3 of 3

adverb

as in through

Related Words

• through
• across
• over
• athwart

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

Recent Examples of clear

Adjective

Fernández needs to give them clearer answers when the game turns. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026

Democrats have potential limitations While the landscape has undoubtedly moved more in Democrats' direction over the last several months, the extent of the likely potential gains is not clear. — Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026

Verb

The evidence that could have cleared him was there but was ignored. — Edward Longe, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2026

Also getting put into protocol early last week was Brents, who was cleared in time to play and had a fumble recovery in the game. — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026

Adverb

The course was built in just six months – with no irrigation or mass clear-cutting of trees. — Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Having used so much draft capital up front, Seattle’s clear biggest need is finding puck-moving, mobile defensemen. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 23 June 2026

Phrases Containing clear

• clear (up)
• clear off
• clear out
• crystal clear
• in the clear
• keep clear of
• stay clear of
• steer clear of