CLEAR-CUT Synonyms: 141 Similar and Opposite Words

clear-cut

adjective

ˈklir-ˈkət

Definition of clear-cut

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 For younger women, the picture is less clear-cut, which is one reason experts say healthcare providers should proactively discuss perimenopause with patients in their 30s and 40s rather than waiting until symptoms become severe. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026 The airport’s public-facing website isn’t clear-cut about who’s paying for the changes. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026 What the heat dome means for wildfire activity in the West is less clear-cut. — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 8 July 2026 For the advertisers, however, the strategy appears less clear-cut. — Shann Biglione, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for clear-cut

Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear-cut

Adjective

Many players have obvious economic incentives to seek to extend their collegiate careers for as long as possible.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026
The press release probably didn’t need to also say the company imbued it with distinctive character or charm; that’s quite obvious from the design.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of obvious

Adjective

To be more explicit, the owners, as represented by the league, will not retract their salary cap proposal simply because we are now guaranteed a low-payroll team will win the World Series.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
What if Moscow used nuclear threats, implicit or explicit, to try to force Europe to end its support for Ukraine?

— Ivo H. Daalder, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of explicit

Adjective

The Trying star is leading The Death of Sherlock Holmes, which fills the gap between the detective’s apparent death at the Reichenbach Falls in 1891 and his reappearance in The Adventure of the Empty House three years later.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Investigators with the city of Douglas, Georgia have released the identities of the five adults killed in an apparent murder-suicide last week.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of apparent

Adjective

There’s an unmistakable impression throughout that this woman… or whatever is pretending to be one… might burn down the house.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
Dramatic, chaotic and yet totally controlled, the productions by Saul Milton and Will Kennard are unmistakable.

— Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unmistakable

Adjective

But national Democrats have been eying the race for months due to the state’s large Black population, and Obama’s ad is a clear effort to juice turnout.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Here, next to the crystal-clear waters of Lake Keowee in Sunset, South Carolina, adventure and refinement exist in effortless harmony.

— Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of clear

Adjective

The German company aims to deploy the model across different robot platforms, allowing customers to adapt its capabilities to specific applications.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
On winding roads, its model-specific suspension tuning and focus on weight reduction translate into exceptional body control at speed without becoming brittle or overly rigid in slower, more technical sections.

— Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of specific

Browse Nearby Words

clearances

clear-cut

cleared

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“Clear-cut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear-cut. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of clear-cut

adjective

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