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
But so long as the cultural narrative persists around vaginas being unclean or smelly, companies will continue to create items deemed to cleanse them.
—
Erica Sloan, SELF, 3 June 2025
Inspectors found pork butt roast stored directly on unclean storage racks located inside the walk-in cooler.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2025
Several areas had debris and unclean surfaces, including the three-compartment sink and areas behind the ice machine and under the prep sink.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
Full Story Benefits of boiling water with dirty fuels outweigh the risk in areas with unclean resources: Study
Boiling unclean water in many regions of the world results in air pollution from burning dirty fuels, but the benefits of doing so usually outweigh the risks, a new study has found.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Erica Sloan, SELF, 3 June 2025
Inspectors found pork butt roast stored directly on unclean storage racks located inside the walk-in cooler.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2025
Several areas had debris and unclean surfaces, including the three-compartment sink and areas behind the ice machine and under the prep sink.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
Full Story Benefits of boiling water with dirty fuels outweigh the risk in areas with unclean resources: Study
Boiling unclean water in many regions of the world results in air pollution from burning dirty fuels, but the benefits of doing so usually outweigh the risks, a new study has found.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unclean
Adjective
-
After decades when Ukraine was seen as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, cleaning up its government has been held up as the most important condition for Kyiv to join the European Union and integrate more broadly with the West.—
Olena Harmash,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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The first season’s framing of the police as some of the dumbest and most corrupt people alive could be good fodder for Salazar, who might make a go for sheriff given how Callie’s husband bungled the Pastor Pete case.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Indeed, the trio looked filthy, and one even had a red, watery eye.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
-
Sharp has long been one of New York’s filthiest comedians.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
Kids get hurt and get sick, like anyone else; every year, a few in the practice battle life-threatening illness, often cancer.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
Mission Viejo raced to the title while playing without wide receiver Vance Spafford (sick), cornerback Jeron Jones (fractured wrist), safeties Sawyer Thomson (knee) and Zachary Foeldi (knee) and wide receiver Max Markofski (hip).—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
The restaurant violated 17 standards, including bugs inside the restaurant and dirty kitchen equipment.—
Evan Moore
July 18,
Charlotte Observer,
18 July 2025
-
What to look for in a quality cat fountain Filtration system Stagnant or dirty water is dangerous to pets, especially cats with a delicate immune system.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
Adjective
-
In the kitchen, opt for glass and stainless-steel containers, and throw away degraded plastic tools.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
7 July 2025
-
Shot on low-grade digital cameras that made every image look even more apocalyptic and degraded, the film remains utterly terrifying, boasting excellent supporting turns from Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson as Jim’s fellow survivors.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
Tim Petrillo, one of the developers behind the $500 million project, donned a hard hat on a sweltering Tuesday and peered out at the dusty construction site at Northwest First Avenue, just north of Northwest Fifth Street.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
14 July 2025
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Jameson had a customer who turned his dusty garage into a workshop by running extension cords along the floor to a workbench.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
If the condition is severe, as might happen if the bottom of the pot is full of water, remove the hibiscus, gently knock off the wet, muddy soil, rinse the roots clean, and repot with fresh potting soil in a well-draining pot.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 July 2025
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The muddy, wet game was played on a sloppy field but ended with an 8-0 victory for Michigan in front of a few hundred Notre Dame students.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unclean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unclean. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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