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 restaurant was issued a yellow placard for keeping food at temperatures outside of the accepted range and unclean food contact surfaces.
—
Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025
There was an unclean cardboard box stored on a food contact surface at the prep line.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
There was black slime-like residue buildup inside an ice machine, and inspectors found unclean knives in a clean storage bin.
Employees were eating at the prep line.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Droughts, which can lead people to resort to unclean water, triggered outbreaks in Zambia and Zimbabwe; floods, which can destroy infrastructure and contaminate drinking water, did so in Kenya.
—Bymartin Enserink, science.org, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 14 Mar. 2025
There was an unclean cardboard box stored on a food contact surface at the prep line.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025
There was black slime-like residue buildup inside an ice machine, and inspectors found unclean knives in a clean storage bin.
Employees were eating at the prep line.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 21 Mar. 2025
Droughts, which can lead people to resort to unclean water, triggered outbreaks in Zambia and Zimbabwe; floods, which can destroy infrastructure and contaminate drinking water, did so in Kenya.
—Bymartin Enserink, science.org, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unclean
Adjective
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That included former interim U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon, who wrote in her resignation letter that Adams had entered into a corrupt quid pro quo with Trump to get rid of his case by offering immigration enforcement assistance in exchange for a dismissal.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
10 May 2025
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He has been banned for life from the city of Bonita Springs, having once sunk a corrupt city councilman’s party barge, but shows little remorse.—
Amy Weiss-Meyer,
The Atlantic,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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At least 12 outside experts submitted testimony in what’s called the Dunsmore case, finding that San Diego jails are filthy and that workers regularly fail to follow best practices or department policies.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 May 2025
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Created in 2019 by Eastbound & Down's Danny McBride, the filthy HBO comedy centers around a family of corrupt, fast-talking televangelists led by John Goodman's aging and regretful Eli Gemstone.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
5 May 2025
Adjective
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This is a vital step not just for those currently facing a terminal diagnosis, but for the many Californians who aren’t sick now but may be someday.—
Christie Golemb,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 May 2025
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Parents might use those days to stay home with a sick child, while others might use a non-work day to help a family member in need or take a pet to the vet.—
Lieke ten Brummelhuis,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Airplane tray tables, seatbelt buckles and armrests are known to be among the dirtiest surfaces onboard.—
Isabelle Rodney,
CNN Money,
20 May 2025
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Duffy, a former reality show contestant and four-term congressman, comes to the blame game with dirty hands.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Maltz served as the lead author on a meta-analysis of how soil inoculation with different species of mycorrhizal fungi can affect degraded ecosystems.—
Lauren Oster,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
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For example, sponsor initiatives to restore degraded ecosystems, protect endangered species or support reforestation.—
Jamie Houston,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Those collectibles may well hold signs of past life on that enigmatic, dusty and foreboding world.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
13 May 2025
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Everything from the mortar to the rope has been handmade on the dusty site.—
Rachel Howard,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Oct. 2022
Adjective
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The three-year-old thoroughbred finished ahead of 18 other horses on a muddy track at Churchill Downs Racetrack on May 3 but will not be looking to repeat the feat at the Pimlico Race Course on Saturday.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
17 May 2025
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The 2025 Kentucky Derby endured showers and the horses ran on a muddy track.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unclean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unclean. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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