CLEAR (UP) Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

clear (up)

verb

Definition of clear (up)

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

Officials, for example, have not explained whether Young’s administrative leave was related to allegations against him personally, his supervisory responsibilities or another reason.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Respond to what’s been said, and let the other person explain the rest.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Tony has not clarified whether the $35,000 agency expenditure was drawn directly from taxpayer money or from alternative department funding streams, such as law enforcement forfeitures, seizures or fines.

— Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
The city and developers have not yet clarified what work may be needed or how those costs would be divided.

— Lauren Breunig, Baltimore Sun, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of clarify

Verb

These examples illustrate how cell-specific predictions could help researchers connect genetic variants with the cells and biological processes involved in disease.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
For roughly the past 10 of those 50 years, Agnes Lee has illustrated each item in the column, contributing over 2,000 drawings in that time.

— New York Times, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of illustrate

Verb

This final aspect represents democracy's functional correction mechanism, which the midterm results demonstrated in ample measure.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
Nighthawk pushes performance IBM’s current Nighthawk r2 processor has demonstrated significant improvements in quantum execution speed.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of demonstrate

Verb

Its development also demonstrates how advanced manufacturing techniques can simplify rocket engine production.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Leaders might be called upon for help to remove some of the shackles that naturally accumulate over time, including simplifying approvals, streamlining processes and creating space to experiment.

— Suzanne Konstance, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of simplify

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.

Browse Nearby Words

clears (up)

clear (up)

cleavage

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Clear (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear%20%28up%29. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of clear (up)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boilerplate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes