1
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
a clear-cut case of plagiarism that resulted in her immediate dismissal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explicit
so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning
clear-cut instructions that even an idiot should be able to follow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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-cut
In storytelling, the roads to pure evil or to victimhood are frequently clear-cut, but the journey of a person who is slowly recruited into complicity is a subtler thing.
—
The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
The debate over exterior lighting is not clear-cut; factors such as energy use, security concerns, placement, and even local wildlife come into play.
—Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2025
While there's no clear-cut No. 1 pick in the draft like Bueckers last season, there's a host of draft-eligible players in college, including UCLA's Lauren Betts, UConn's Azzi Fudd, LSU's Flau'jae Johnson and TCU's Olivia Miles.
—CBS News, 24 Nov. 2025
The thousand-year-old, two-hundred-foot Douglas Fir stands in the midst of a vast clear-cut on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, a towering beanstalk surrounded by acres of cornfield stubble.
—Brad Badelt, Outside, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clear-cut
The Atlantic, 4 Dec. 2025
The debate over exterior lighting is not clear-cut; factors such as energy use, security concerns, placement, and even local wildlife come into play.
—Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2025
While there's no clear-cut No. 1 pick in the draft like Bueckers last season, there's a host of draft-eligible players in college, including UCLA's Lauren Betts, UConn's Azzi Fudd, LSU's Flau'jae Johnson and TCU's Olivia Miles.
—CBS News, 24 Nov. 2025
The thousand-year-old, two-hundred-foot Douglas Fir stands in the midst of a vast clear-cut on the rugged west coast of Vancouver Island, a towering beanstalk surrounded by acres of cornfield stubble.
—Brad Badelt, Outside, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for clear-cut
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear-cut
Adjective
-
The Heat are muddling along with a roster that isn’t good enough to do anything of significance, have no young player with obvious star upside, can’t create significant cap room for at least two more years and owe a future pick to the Hornets from the disastrous Terry Rozier trade.—
Nick Friedell,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
-
There is no obvious sign any of the officers were injured.—
Jude Joffe-Block,
NPR,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The official investigators of the deaths during the infamous riot were under intense and explicit pressure to conform their testimony to an official, state-exonerating narrative.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The betrayal was exacerbated by back-and-forth arguing online and the posting of explicit material, only worsened when the two groups met up in Oakland the night of the shooting.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But the security pitfalls are equally apparent.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
One month later, Epstein died in an apparent suicide while awaiting trial at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
However, measuring a qubit causes its superposition to collapse into a single, definite state.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Jan. 2026
-
So probably not, but also a definite possibility.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
While there’s been some chatter about the possibility of a zero-hour reprieve, as talks with potential investors are ongoing, the recent cancellation of the nine MLB contracts is said to have made the unmistakable sound of the other shoe dropping.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Elijah’s pride in his mother is unmistakable.—
Adrienne Farr,
Parents,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Grounded in data, this is the definitive ranking to understand who is wielding power in business today and who is poised to have more tomorrow.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
There’s no definitive count on the overlap of voters for the Oscars and the BAFTAs, but most publicists figure at least 1,000 of the 8,300 BAFTA film voters also belong to the motion picture academy.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Anatomy of a Merger — Jim Freund A clear, deal-lawyer’s view of how acquisitions unfold, from negotiation through closing and early integration.—
Jennifer J. Fondrevay,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Hood said interstates and main highways are pretty clear, but many rural county roads are probably still covered in ice.—
Bill Bowden,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Cities have refused to release personal information about residents unless necessary for the investigation of specific crimes.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Does the client have a specific mental disorder?—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clear-cut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear-cut. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
