1
as in tidy
being clean and in good order
keep the kitchen neat so the cook doesn't have to work around piles of dirty dishes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pure
free from added matter
I like my soda neat, so skip the ice cubes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in wonderful
of the very best kind
that new skateboard park is neat
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in organized
following a set method, arrangement, or pattern
regime change is rarely a neat process, particularly in a country where a coup d'état is more likely to occur than an election
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of neat
There is marble and gold everywhere, balconies jutting out so patrons could see and be seen, neat rows of doors to exclusive box seats.
—
Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
Crime-scene investigators bored holes and pulled out a succession of neat plastic packages containing razors, saw blades, handcuff keys, and security bits.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Many astronomical objects play by clear rules and fit into neat categories, but brown dwarfs (celestial objects too massive to be mere planets, but too small to be real stars) continue to refuse to cooperate.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Slot’s side did not let that theme continue against West Ham as Ekitike opened the scoring with a neat near-post finish after four minutes.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for neat
Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 3 Mar. 2026
Crime-scene investigators bored holes and pulled out a succession of neat plastic packages containing razors, saw blades, handcuff keys, and security bits.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Many astronomical objects play by clear rules and fit into neat categories, but brown dwarfs (celestial objects too massive to be mere planets, but too small to be real stars) continue to refuse to cooperate.
—Kiona N. Smith, Space.com, 2 Mar. 2026
Slot’s side did not let that theme continue against West Ham as Ekitike opened the scoring with a neat near-post finish after four minutes.
—Tom Burrows, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for neat
Recent Examples of Synonyms for neat
Adjective
-
That admission runs counter to the tidy grief narrative most people carry around — the idea that time heals in a straight line.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Mar. 2026
-
There have been individual successes on the pitch (such as Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and the wonderfully gifted Estevao) and players who have been sold on for a tidy profit (such as Djordje Petrovic, Renato Veiga and Noni Madueke).—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And the Cubists picked up on that in the twentieth century and abstracted from his landscapes, making pure Cubist constructions in which the optical space on the canvas—very similar to Cezanne’s—was composed of little abstract blocks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The show traces the evolution of Armani Privé since its Paris debut in 2005, highlighting pure lines, precious fabrics and jewel-like embroidery.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s why their new album, wonderful, leaves me a little cold.—
Mano Sundaresan,
Pitchfork,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Varley’s elevation this season is a wonderful turn for Ashbourne, an icon of British film, TV, and theater who has long been one of Bridgerton’s most consistently comedic presences.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Homeira Hesami, chairwoman of the Iranian American Community of North Texas, said the rally was in support of an organized resistance in Iran that is vouching for a peaceful transition to democracy.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Feb. 2026
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With multiple compartments in a sleek, stylish puffer design, the Urban Expressions Kris Weekender keeps everything organized and within easy reach, all while staying compact enough to carry comfortably.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Downstairs, the Solarium serves breakfast (strong coffee, fresh fruit, and French-leaning pastries) in a bright, skylit setting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Hours later, an explosion near the airport sent a thick plume of black smoke into the air – part of a fresh wave of Iranian strikes across the Middle East on Sunday following the death of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The large cast of smaller roles and chorus is excellent.—
Classical Music Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Evans Scholars must have a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character, the release said.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The result has been a rapid and systematic degradation of Iran’s clout across the Middle East over the past 2½ years, a seismic change that led directly to this weekend’s devastating attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.—
Adam Geller,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Oversight should be proactive and systematic, not reactive.—
Timothy M. Herbst,
Hartford Courant,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Some of the South’s top interior designers reassure us that there is a time and place for matching trim-wall combos, and other scenarios when contrast is encouraged.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Pair your fur-trim coat with black jeans, boots, and a designer bag, then add a few key accessories.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Neat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/neat. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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