clear 1 of 3

adjective

ˈklir How to pronounce clear (audio)
Definition of clearnext
1
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation the meaning of her broad smile was clear to the whole class

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in transparent
easily seen through the clear glass walls of the aquarium's giant ocean tank

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in certain
having or showing a mind free from doubt I need to be absolutely clear about what you're saying

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sunny
not stormy or cloudy novice pilots can only fly on clear days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in conclusive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning the evidence is clear: he's innocent

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in unobstructed
allowing passage without obstruction flooding was widespread, and only some roads are clear so far

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in innocent
free from guilt or blame slept with a clear conscience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in shining
giving off or reflecting much light spermaceti candles were once highly prized for the clear flame that they produced

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clear

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to rid
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers cleared the woods of brush

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to empty
to remove the contents of cleared a drawer so there would be a place to store his clothes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to open
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way the early settlers worked hard to clear the land for crops

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to clarify
to remove usually visible impurities from cleared the car windows

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to free
to set free from entanglement or difficulty cleared himself of any involvement in the matter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to smooth
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions plows promptly cleared the roads of snow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to acquit
to free from a charge of wrongdoing she had once been accused of embezzlement, but an investigation by the bank cleared her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to approve
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory the administration cleared the plan, and building should begin shortly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in to remove
to take away from a place or position cleared the dishes from the table

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in to inform
to give information to please clear my mind about the new arrangement regarding reimbursement for traveling expenses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in to earn
to receive after charges and deductions have been made cleared enough from that stock transaction to be able to afford a new luxury automobile

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in to pay
to give what is owed for finally cleared the last debt

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

clear

3 of 3

adverb

as in through

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective clear contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of clear are limpid, translucent, and transparent. While all these words mean "capable of being seen through," clear implies absence of cloudiness, haziness, or muddiness.

clear water

When could limpid be used to replace clear?

Although the words limpid and clear have much in common, limpid suggests the soft clearness of pure water.

her eyes were limpid pools of blue

When can translucent be used instead of clear?

The synonyms translucent and clear are sometimes interchangeable, but translucent implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond.

translucent frosted glass

When would transparent be a good substitute for clear?

While the synonyms transparent and clear are close in meaning, transparent implies being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly.

a transparent sheet of film

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 clear
Adjective
Condemn this violence unequivocally and issue a clear call for all demonstrations to be peaceful. — Chiara Pizzimenti, Vanity Fair, 18 Oct. 2026 The commission has not yet publicly released its specific policy recommendations or put a clear number on the amount of funding that will be needed to turn the career pathways plan to life. — P.r. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
As reported by Phoronix, the move to NTFS clears a long-standing hurdle for the project and brings it one step closer to finally reaching beta. — Nick Indge, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026 The entire scene cleared about six hours later, making for a slightly sour commute for many. — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 18 Oct. 2026
Adverb
The course was built in just six months – with no irrigation or mass clear-cutting of trees. — Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Having used so much draft capital up front, Seattle’s clear biggest need is finding puck-moving, mobile defensemen. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear
  1. obvious
  2. transparent
  3. confident
  4. sunny
  5. conclusive
  6. cleared
  7. innocent
  8. shining
Adjective
  • These reveal problems that might not be obvious in the short term, such as liver damage, as well as underlying conditions that could turn minor issues into something serious.
    — Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • If there are lessons from the 2025 wave of crypto IPOs, the most obvious is that investors should proceed with caution.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • Many of Nothing’s smartphones and headphones feature transparent casings that leave some of the internal components exposed.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Pan Yan The substance is integrated into a transparent, medium-sized insert designed to fit onto a garbage bin lid.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of transparent
Adjective
  • But that concern has been addressed here thanks to the aforementioned brake upgrades, which deliver confident stopping power at speed as well as excellent pedal feel.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Jim is confident Kimberly-Clark can unlock value from the Tylenol maker, which was spun off from healthcare giant and Club name Johnson & Johnson in 2023 and struggled to find its footing as a standalone entity.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of confident
Adjective
  • The Olympia, Washington songwriter known for underground rap production pivots to sunny, nostalgic power-pop with distinct affection for the college-rock era.
    — Jeff Yerger, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The sunny front porch, which overlooks a community fountain and gazebo on a stretch of land that replicates a New England town green, only adds to its appeal.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of sunny
Adjective
  • But Min’s team still had doubts to address before making any conclusive claims.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For Hoffman, the evening’s results were encouraging but not necessarily conclusive, and the extensive use of guarantees should be taken with a grain of salt.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of conclusive
Adjective
  • Not all pads are alike, but a footprint on the larger side involves five to ten acres of cleared, packed ground that serves as the hub for drilling equipment, which can include wellheads, pump jacks, tanks, wastewater storage pits, trailers, and flare stacks.
    — Alex Heard, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
  • What counts as a cleared sidewalk?
    — Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Definition of cleared
Adjective
  • An innocent person could potentially have faced unnecessary scrutiny.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone charged is presumed innocent while their cases move through the courts.
    — Raven Lightsey, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • At a time of so much partisanship in Congress, especially related to health care, breakthrough legislation is a shining example of how commonsense policies that support patient care and innovation can achieve broad support.
    — Josh Makower, STAT, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Those memories will remain some of the most shining and unforgettable moments of my life.
    — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of shining

Phrases Containing clear

Browse Nearby Words

cleanups
clear
clearance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vocation

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All