1
as in spotless
free from dirt or stain
although the soccer team always starts out with clean uniforms, they don't stay that way for long
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in legal
following or according to the rules
a clean check from the other hockey player
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3
as in pure
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
only clean songs will be permitted for the performances on the last night of summer camp
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4
as in thorough
trying all possibilities
police made a clean sweep of the area before the governor's arrival
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5
as in simple
having no exceptions or restrictions
the clean joy of running that young children experience
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6
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present
the ship returned with a clean hold
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1
as in to wipe
to remove the dirt from
we cleaned the clothes before donating them to charity
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2
as in to remove
to take the internal organs out of
cleaned the rabbit before cooking it
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1
as in legally
according to the rules or the law
a boxer who doesn't fight clean
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2
as in completely
to a full extent or degree
the thief got clean away
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clean
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Modern design requires clean lines and uncluttered space, so avoid going overboard with decor and accessories.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 29 Apr. 2026
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Clearing the ethics docket while cleaning house would be one long overdue, and bipartisan, way to improve it.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Gannon Burgett, Car and Driver, 28 Mar. 2023
These services sell carbon credits offered by NGOs and governments that, using offset proceeds, plant mangroves, distribute clean-burning stoves, preserve grasslands, and install digesters to capture cooking gas from manure among other types of projects.
—Time, 21 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for clean
Adjective
Countries are racing to install renewables and other clean tech, particularly after the Iran war caused the second major global energy shock in five years, exposing fossil fuel supply vulnerability.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Modern design requires clean lines and uncluttered space, so avoid going overboard with decor and accessories.
—Cori Sears, The Spruce, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
Mitigating climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and transitioning to clean energy is crucial, according to Elipot, along with ongoing observation and research to better predict and prepare for potential impacts.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Clearing the ethics docket while cleaning house would be one long overdue, and bipartisan, way to improve it.
—Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
Natural Gas: Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel source that is generally less expensive than other fuels.
—Gannon Burgett, Car and Driver, 28 Mar. 2023
These services sell carbon credits offered by NGOs and governments that, using offset proceeds, plant mangroves, distribute clean-burning stoves, preserve grasslands, and install digesters to capture cooking gas from manure among other types of projects.
—Time, 21 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for clean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clean
Adjective
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Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your screens spotless — and keeping them that way through humid weather and beyond.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Bullet trains gliding into spotless stations.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Issue One, an advocacy group tracking redistricting nationwide, said changing maps for 2026 could be difficult because many states have already held primaries and legal challenges would place significant obstacles before the general election.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
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Other states have to confront the unprecedented possibility of revising maps even as voters are casting ballots or the legal process of declaring intent to run for office has concluded.—
Nicholas Riccardi,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Beyond that, he’s motivated by pure self-interest.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
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The Jets are in need of talent up and down the roster and getting possibly the best pure pass rusher in the class is a good place to start.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Patients should see a medical provider for a thorough exam and bloodwork before starting the drugs, the doctor emphasized.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
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Still, the property is thorough in its offerings.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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July 23 – August 22 Clarity today comes from keeping your message simple and grounded.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Brown said Atlanta was taking away the Knicks’ spray game, which made the answer simpler.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Too often, supporters have felt the players have struggled to even offer that, with meek away performances against Sunderland (3-0 defeat), Brighton & Hove Albion (2-0 defeat) and Everton (2-0 defeat) displaying a side devoid of belief and beaten before kick-off.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
23 Apr. 2026
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In addition to the entire resort being devoid of single-use plastic, the property also participates in marine conservation efforts that include coral restoration and turtle rehabilitation.—
Christina Liao,
Vogue,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maintenance is just as easy—wipe it down with a cloth or rinse it off with a hose when needed.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Robinson was among 425 volunteers spreading out from four different locations on Saturday throughout Waukegan, removing trash from the lakefront, the city’s downtown and its neighborhoods, ending eight days of active environmental stewardship during the city’s fifth-annual Earth Week cleanup.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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Creamy, hydrating cleansers maintain the moisture barrier while still removing dirt and makeup effectively.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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