1
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards
there's something unclean about this whole business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 unclean
Historically, Black women have disproportionately faced related charges of being physically and biologically unclean.
—
Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025
The restaurant was closed because of issues with running water at its sinks, proper hot water temperature, improper refrigeration temperatures and unclean surfaces, according to the inspection report.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2025
Yet, in traditional Mongolian thought, even the most admirable dog is understood to be inherently unclean.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Aug. 2025
An investigation by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) found that the dogs were kept in unclean and overcrowded conditions, with little access to fresh water.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2025
The restaurant was closed because of issues with running water at its sinks, proper hot water temperature, improper refrigeration temperatures and unclean surfaces, according to the inspection report.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2025
Yet, in traditional Mongolian thought, even the most admirable dog is understood to be inherently unclean.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 2 Aug. 2025
An investigation by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) found that the dogs were kept in unclean and overcrowded conditions, with little access to fresh water.
—Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unclean
Adjective
-
In one of many tonally jarring subplots, Vince works out a scam to burn down his dead mother’s house in Brooklyn to collect the insurance money with the help of a corrupt fire marshal.—
Andrew Bernard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The writer became inspired to counteract his complicity in a corrupt system.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Trying to expose the trafficking, abuse, and the filthy networks that protect the wealthy and powerful puts you in danger.—
Khaleda Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Unitree claims that the G1 is made to handle difficult, filthy, and repetitive jobs in a variety of settings, including at homes, factories, and hospitals.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
But as that incident demonstrated, even a small number of controllers calling in sick can have a big impact.—
Joel Rose,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Austin Hedges gets sick to his stomach before postseason games.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For both areas, Painter hit the transfer portal and landed a dirty-work center in Cluff.—
CJ Moore,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Far from a knightly war, the German advance in 1941-1942 against France was a dirty one, with thieving of private property and menace against civilians.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
At the same time, suicide-attack FPVs incorporate AI navigation for autonomous terminal guidance under degraded control.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Under her leadership, the NYBG’s research team has expanded to 81 projects across 79 countries to conserve disappearing plant species, restore degraded ecosystems, and breed crops to withstand drought, sea level rise and extreme heat under climate change.—
Eduardo Garcia,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Wood stained baseboards may need a gentler cleaning approach, such as Murphy’s Oil Soap, to protect the finish.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Most of the restaurant's decor is bright Coca Cola red, from stained glass lamps to old-school pinup posters, all with the Coca Cola logo.—
Endia Fontanez,
AZCentral.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
On top of the traditional orange and dusty red decor, consider adding violet and navy to the mix this fall.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Baseboards And Molding Baseboards and molding get incredibly dusty from years of neglect.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share