1
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards
there's something unclean about this whole business
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in filthy
not clean
a lackadaisical waiter who tried to set our table with smudged glasses and unclean silverware
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unclean
The ways in which houses can be infested by unclean spirits are varied.
—
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
His bedsheets were unclean, and the delivery person for our takeout knew him by name.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 17 Dec. 2025
The November conference report details several complaints made against the hotel in 2024, ranging from outdated fire extinguishers and unclean bedding to bedbugs and roaches in rooms.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Nov. 2025
The frequent graffiti and unclean environments seen months ago are rare now.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
His bedsheets were unclean, and the delivery person for our takeout knew him by name.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 17 Dec. 2025
The November conference report details several complaints made against the hotel in 2024, ranging from outdated fire extinguishers and unclean bedding to bedbugs and roaches in rooms.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Nov. 2025
The frequent graffiti and unclean environments seen months ago are rare now.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unclean
Adjective
-
The corrupt a-s psychopath prosecutors’ office.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
-
The film stars Jake Busey (Stranger Things) as Dirk, a corrupt cop who partners with an eager, broke assistant named Jeff Klima, played by Felix Merback (Blood Star).—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
So open to the skies, and filthy.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
This neighborhood, peopled almost entirely by the people who claim to have been driven from Poland and Russia, is the eyesore of New York and perhaps the filthiest place on the western continent.—
Alexandra Schwartz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Olsky's mother, under 70 pounds and nine months pregnant, was put in the sick car on the train, surrounded by sick and dying women.—
Lesley Stahl,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Edgar finds them together, gets angry and Cathy gets even sicker.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tan explained that there are still things people can do to protect themselves from the harms of dirty air.—
Dr. Ishani D. Premaratne,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
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Synthetic fibers like polyester can leave tiny scratches on the surface, and dirty cloths can cause micro scratches.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
On top of that, particles from tire wear, litter, and degraded plastics elsewhere can settle out of the air or arrive with runoff.—
Dr. Avishesh Neupane,
Hartford Courant,
7 Feb. 2026
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Problems with insulation can be caused by freezes due to the freeze-thaw cycle, which can lead to degraded insulation.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Elsewhere in the photoshoot, Pattinson poses with a cigarette in his mouth, pants unbuttoned and in a stained shirt in a black-and-white photo.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Gently massage only the stained area.—
Olivia McIntosh,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Timeless wood pieces, plush armchairs and headboards, and earthy yet optimistic color palettes (think ivory, spring green, tawny brown, and bronze) are both serene and cozy, without feeling dusty or overly trendy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Feb. 2026
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Further investigation with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) whittled these galaxies down to 70 faint dusty galaxy candidates on the very edge of the cosmos, the majority of which had never been seen before.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
-
In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Dec. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Unclean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unclean. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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