as in to explain
to make plain or understandable
a simple explanation cleared the matter up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear (up)
Verb
-
Whitwam explains that Catalina mule deer hunting was traditionally reserved for island residents and their guests, or hunters who were willing to book with a local guide.—
Kris Millgate,
Outdoor Life,
6 Feb. 2026 -
Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs argued Brady’s role as a sports network broadcaster — not just a Patriots icon — explains his neutral stance.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In reality, the project and its progressive defenders fed those forces rather than clarified them.—
Thomas Chatterton Williams,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Republicans framed the bathroom and driver’s license bill as an addendum clarifying the intent of a separate 2023 bill barring trans women from accessing female-only spaces.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Tulsky discusses Native Americans, Quindaro, meatpacking plants, Carrie Nation and events throughout the 20th century — all to illustrate how corruption not only developed but thrived in Kansas City, Kansas.—
Dan Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Berrios said Rinaldi taught her to go from drawing and illustrating comic books to objects, people and landscapes.—
Janice Neumann,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Set the tone through personal conduct, demonstrating patience, respect, and restraint.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Laid-off reporter Barry Svrluga broke an exclusive about Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin’s mother’s cancer diagnosis, demonstrating the value of experienced sports journalism.—
Andrew Dampf,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Increases in performance were largely a matter of scale and simplifying rocket designs to save weight.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
-
It is often simplified into rivalry or idealized closeness.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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.
Cite this Entry
“Clear (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear%20%28up%29. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
