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
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Recent Examples of clear-cut
The line between the frontlines and the homefront in terms of injuries is no longer clear-cut.
—
Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a more clear-cut diplomatic win for the president.
—Abc News, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Lone star and other tick species eventually receded as forests were clear-cut.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
While people on both sides have sought to portray these cases as clear-cut, the reality is that use-of-force determinations are rarely simple.
—Diane Goldstein, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clear-cut
Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 2 Mar. 2026
The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan is a more clear-cut diplomatic win for the president.
—Abc News, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
Lone star and other tick species eventually receded as forests were clear-cut.
—Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
While people on both sides have sought to portray these cases as clear-cut, the reality is that use-of-force determinations are rarely simple.
—Diane Goldstein, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clear-cut
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear-cut
Adjective
-
Make kind choices and keep boundaries obvious.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Apr. 2026
-
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The point is that certain kinds of knowledge have long been passed down tacitly from generation to generation, but our culture, with its wild overreliance on the explicit and the useful, will soon produce people on whom such knowledge will be lost.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
This latter caper was certainly a more explicit violation of law than anything associated with the Rooney Rule.—
Howard L. Simon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That said, the presence of companies concerned with defense, security, and sensitive radar systems among the apparent ultimate targets raises obvious red flags.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The following year, Salling died at age 35 of an apparent suicide.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
As for the second one, well, your guess is as good as mine regarding a definite answer.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Concrete, the structure’s dominant material, may be a synonym for fixed and definite, but the experience within is inescapably fluid.—
Leah Ollman,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Bambaataa's sudden death was met with an outpouring of condolences from friends, family and fans across the world, who paid tribute to his profound and unmistakable impact on one of the world's most popular and politically influential music genres.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Cunningham’s Fisher-Price pianos and decrepit drums are unmistakable, as is Ciani’s Buchla, which whooshes and rattles like a steam engine barreling down the tracks.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
All of the tax issues passed with definitive support.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Despite advances in breast imaging, breast biopsy remains the only definitive method to determine whether a suspicious lump is cancerous.—
Quing Zhu,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But at least in its immediate aftermath, investigations of Tuesday’s shooting appear to be firmly in the hands of the federal government, without any clear interventions by state officials.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The state’s lawmakers are continuing to consider them as sophisticated governance entities that require clearer standards and stronger oversight.—
Evonne Andris,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The vlogger Jordan Cheyenne, for one, wrecked her sharenting career by accidentally posting footage of herself coaching her son, who was distraught over the family’s sick puppy, to make a specific kind of sad face for YouTube.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2026
-
With the latest round of supplemental additions (Joe Flacco, Kyle Duggar and Ja’Sir Taylor) signed, here’s my view of the Bengals’ spectrum of needs to wants at specific positions and the reason why.—
Paul Dehner Jr,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clear-cut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear-cut. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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