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
Navarro explains that this is most likely because people commonly touch their spice jars with unclean hands after handling raw meat and don’t sanitize the containers after the fact.
—
Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 14 Mar. 2026
The visit was prompted by a non-illness complaint regarding general facility sanitation, cross-contamination, unclean food-contact surfaces, and employee hygiene.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 11 Mar. 2026
Its answer to Fading West’s arbitration lawsuit also accuses Fading West of breach of contract, fraud and unclean hands, without further explanation.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
According to a case document, those personnel described her motor home as unclean, unheated, and without a bed.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 14 Mar. 2026
The visit was prompted by a non-illness complaint regarding general facility sanitation, cross-contamination, unclean food-contact surfaces, and employee hygiene.
—Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 11 Mar. 2026
Its answer to Fading West’s arbitration lawsuit also accuses Fading West of breach of contract, fraud and unclean hands, without further explanation.
—Justin Wingerter, Denver Post, 4 Mar. 2026
According to a case document, those personnel described her motor home as unclean, unheated, and without a bed.
—Logan Smith, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unclean
Adjective
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According to a federal indictment, Maduro and his alleged co-conspirators spent decades working alongside some of the world’s most violent drug traffickers and corrupt regional officials to funnel large quantities of cocaine into the United States.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
25 Apr. 2026
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Jackson argued that Burt Jones' work in the legislature was further evidence that the lieutenant governor is corrupt, a message that the health care tycoon is pushing in advertising too.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Reach-in coolers that didn’t keep food safe from bacteria growth and utensils stored in filthy spots shut down a Miami restaurant after inspection last week.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
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Stanley dealers were not in cutthroat competition for filthy lucre.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to get sick from these germs.—
Jonel Aleccia,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
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The researchers also hope to test the protocol earlier in pregnancy, before a pregnant person gets seriously sick.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The drinks attract younger women, typically age 16 to 35, and are aimed at health-conscious customers that don’t want Swig’s more caloric and filling dirty sodas, CEO Alex Dunn said.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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That wasn’t the only utensil stored in a dirty place.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Its allies Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza are degraded but functioning, with Israel still regularly launching strikes at both.—
Sam Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
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The former housekeeper for Jenner further claims that she was mocked for her accent and degraded.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Gayle Wilson, who once worked as a blackjack dealer, enjoyed sewing and making stained glass, according to Lindley Funeral Homes.—
David K. Li,
NBC news,
29 Apr. 2026
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Gently scrub the stained area with a soft bristle brush or clean soft cloth.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In 2020, stargazers flocked to dark sky locations to view the cosmic traveler Neowise, a visible comet then 64 million miles from Earth, with a dusty tail extending more than a million miles.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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The dusty chocolate coating is bitter and unpleasant, and there isn’t enough salt to offset it.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The land, unfenced, abuts a bald blackened hillside that must be public land.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Aug. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Unclean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unclean. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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