clean 1 of 3

adjective

ˈklēn How to pronounce clean (audio)
Definition of cleannext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in legal
following or according to the rules a clean check from the other hockey player

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in thorough
trying all possibilities police made a clean sweep of the area before the governor's arrival

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in simple
having no exceptions or restrictions the clean joy of running that young children experience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present the ship returned with a clean hold

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clean

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to wipe
to remove the dirt from we cleaned the clothes before donating them to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to remove
to take the internal organs out of cleaned the rabbit before cooking it

Synonyms & Similar Words

clean

3 of 3

adverb

1
as in legally
according to the rules or the law a boxer who doesn't fight clean

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in completely
to a full extent or degree the thief got clean away

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 clean
Adjective
According to Grande Cosmetics, apply GrandeBROW once daily on a clean, dry brow, concentrating on sparse areas. — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026 Anguay said the work being done today will help future generations experience cleaner air and lessen the impacts of climate change. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Verb
The hydrogen peroxide in your medicine cabinet works well to clean both windows and mirrors. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026 Porterville Fire crews responded to the scene, safely removed the puppy from the pipe, and cleaned it up following the rescue. — Denis Akbari, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Before things kicked off, a chant devoted to keeping the earth clean echoed at the beach. — Shardaa Gray, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026 That's especially proven in season 2, when — after coming clean to her team about holding Sir captive — Gabi's closest allies turn their backs on her. — Dave Quinn, People.com, 10 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for clean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clean
  1. pristine
  2. legal
  3. pure
  4. thorough
  5. simple
  6. devoid
  7. wipe
  8. remove
Adjective
  • More than 120 other Reddit users supported the statement, bolstering it with their own proof of its superiority like photos of the state’s pristine sand and crystal clear water more akin to the Caribbean than the Midwest.
    — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • For Kathleen, the more manicured and pristine that set could be, the more things that could have Buddy’s insignia stamped on them and the more objects that could have faces staring out at Freddy (Delaney Quinn) and her friends, the better.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of pristine
Adjective
  • The whipsawing legal battle could have major ramifications for the midterms.
    — Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Below, experts provide legal advice on how to handle this situation and keep things as smooth as possible, along with simple yard cleaning tips to help keep your landscape tidy.
    — SJ McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of legal
Adjective
  • Sanft argued his client’s account was pure fiction, and that investigators failed to quickly and vigorously corroborate it for a reason.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
  • These sneakers also come in a wide variety of colors and trims if pure white isn’t your thing.
    — Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • Medical experts say a thorough screening is critical to preventing deaths.
    — Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Most importantly, don’t be afraid to advocate for a thorough skin exam.
    — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of thorough
Adjective
  • It’s still built with comfort in mind, thanks to the flowy material and stretchy elastic waistbands of the pants and top, but has a simple cut that can be dressed up or down easily.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • This converts touch from a simple collision-detection mechanism into an active source of information for aerial navigation, positioning, and grasp control.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of simple
Adjective
  • In a show mostly devoid of explicit messages, the sentiment surprised me.
    — Max Norman, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
  • Players take on the role of a Ditto capable of mimicking its human trainer, and the Pokémon is thrown into a world devoid of humans.
    — Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Definition of devoid
Verb
  • For those with children or pets, the performance fabric is designed to wipe clean, and the seat cushions are removable to easily clean the sofa’s frame.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Smith appeared to cry and wipe her face during the bond court hearing.
    — DAVID J. NEAL, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of wipe
Verb
  • The cores or plugs removed from the lawn during aeration actually increase the success of overseeding by providing more direct contact between the seeds and the soil.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
  • If coverings could not be removed, visitors would be charged for a day pass or a pass replacement.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of remove

Phrases Containing clean

Browse Nearby Words

clays
clean
clean bill of health
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on clean

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about clean

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All