clear-cut

adjective

ˈklir-ˈkət How to pronounce clear-cut (audio)
Definition of clear-cutnext
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

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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 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 In a few short decades every forest in Pennsylvania—and nearly the entirety of eastern North America—would be clear-cut and transformed into a wasteland of stumps. — Literary Hub, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clear-cut
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear-cut
  1. obvious
  2. explicit
  3. apparent
  4. definite
  5. unmistakable
  6. definitive
  7. clear
  8. specific
Adjective
  • The proximity makes a team’s flaws so obvious, which is why fans sometimes fixate on the three or four major problems with their team rather than highlight the strengths of the group.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Oakley said there were no obvious signs of foul play or trauma.
    — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • When toggled on, the system must completely shut down its internal brevity algorithms, ignore corporate formatting templates, and allocate the necessary computing power to follow the user's explicit structural constraints to the letter.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Heritage cookbook re-issues or major cookware launches, from Dutch ovens to pasta makers to bread proofers, marketed with explicit grandmother or nonna framing.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of explicit
Adjective
  • The Will County Coroner’s Office ruled his death as an apparent homicide.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The ring of material surrounding Sgr A* would be about four degrees across—about half the apparent size of your outstretched fist.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of apparent
Adjective
  • Our first round of the showcase had a definite dumpling theme, which included the dumpling trio from China pavilion and two orders from Gyozas of the Galaxy, including basil pesto chicken (creamy) and street corn-style (sorta spicy).
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Serving a vital manufacturing and export region in China, the Shenzhen facility supports growing cross-border trade, e-commerce shipments and time-definite international express services.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of definite
Adjective
  • If brand copy should be taken with a gallon of Morton, Elsesser’s duality is unmistakable.
    — Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • There are plenty of dishes unique to Palm Beach, too—crudos, handmade pastas, lobster salad, and a particularly tempting dessert list—but the Riviera influence is unmistakable.
    — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of unmistakable
Adjective
  • Yet after the definitive collapse of the Islamic State’s territorial project, in most places the idea of global jihad lost its former appeal.
    — Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The researchers stress that the experiment does not identify one definitive pairing mechanism.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of definitive
Adjective
  • Mourinho’s aim to get closer to his players has been especially clear with the team’s biggest names.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Congress has bipartisan bills in the works aimed at setting clearer federal consumer protections, including age verification.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of clear
Adjective
  • The researchers focused on a specific material used in aircraft and train interiors, including passenger-cabin flooring.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Late-stage studies have shown success in directing the immune system to attack tumor-specific mutations.
    — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of specific

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clearances
clear-cut
cleared
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Cite this Entry

“Clear-cut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear-cut. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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