cleanly 1 of 2

adverb

ˈklēn-lē How to pronounce cleanly (audio)
Definition of cleanlynext
as in legally
according to the rules or the law it was a cleanly fought match, so you have no grounds for complaint

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cleanly

2 of 2

adjective

as in sanitary

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 cleanly
Adverb
But Adames could not cleanly field the ball, and one batter later, ex-Giants catcher Patrick Bailey singled to score Ramirez for a 3-0 Cleveland lead. — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2026 Katsis struggled to catch the ball cleanly earlier in camp but has come on strong. — Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Director Jennifer Chang understands clearly and cleanly which moments need specific tones and moods. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025 Among the 21 artists are Julia Chon and Dave Young Kim, who offer cleanly hard-edge paintings of, respectively, a woman in traditional garb and two storks below two strands of barbed wire. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for cleanly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanly
  1. legally
  2. sanitary
  3. sterile
  4. hygienic
  5. pure
  6. untainted
  7. washed
  8. wholesome
Adverb
  • Immigration officials announced on Friday that Yiannopoulos was arrested at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and accused him of overstaying after entering the United States legally in May 2019 through New York City.
    — Safiyah Riddle, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Sacramento could soon have more places where people can legally enjoy alcoholic beverages outdoors during special events.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of legally
Adjective
  • As the war raged on, this makeshift countermeasure was replaced by more sanitary and effective innovations, including gauze pads soaked in hyposulfite solution, flannel hoods, tube helmets, and box respirators.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Here’s what our pros recommend for dusting your bedroom to keep it sanitary and easy to breathe in.
    — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of sanitary
Adjective
  • Earlier this year, an open letter from agency leadership warned against using federal funds to buy harm reduction supplies like sterile syringes and pipes, or to distribute test strips for common drug supply contaminants.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Specs AccordionItemContainerButton Minimalist and cozy are two words that come to mind when describing the Zixuan daybed, which has a clean silhouette but doesn’t feel sterile thanks to its plump pillows.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of sterile
Adjective
  • The Associated Press visited a school in Nuwakot that is being used as a temporary aid distribution center, where nongovernmental organizations distributed solar panels, clothes and basic hygienic goods.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The water, which goes through a multistage filter, has to be regularly flushed out to remain hygienic; the scent dispensers need to be refilled; and the spray nozzles need to be unclogged.
    — Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of hygienic
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
  • In theory, this untainted market response can then guide Fed officials debating whether to raise or lower rates.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Linger there for some stargazing beneath a sky totally untainted by light.
    — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 19 June 2026
Definition of untainted
Adjective
  • Made from naturally breathable, skin-friendly, pre-washed linen, the quilt is designed to hold up for years while growing softer with every wash.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026
  • As the Cyclospora outbreak grows, experts recommend washing all fresh produce that hasn’t been pre-washed—not just lettuce.
    — Sarah Garone, HEALTH, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of washed
Adjective
  • Social media ahead of the Lincoln’s visit has been awash with jibes about lusty sailors, but recent visitors say the development of more family-friendly attractions means the new, more wholesome Pattaya overshadows its former seedy self.
    — Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The image of him, his attire a blasphemous betrayal of the wholesome fun a clown costume promises, and with vibrant, colorful balloons in his hand, lingers in our minds for a long time.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of wholesome

Browse Nearby Words

cleanliness
cleanly
cleanness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cleanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanly. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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