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
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
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
Mr. Wash, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Bake for 22 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
—Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Follow Sokolowski’s simple steps to clean your showerhead with dishwasher tablets.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 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
Neat, clean, and a storyteller.
—Mr. Wash, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Bake for 22 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
—Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
The federal government, the spokesperson said, has dedicated no funding for the forest service to clean them up.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026
Follow Sokolowski’s simple steps to clean your showerhead with dishwasher tablets.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 11 Feb. 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
-
Mike lives a lonely life seemingly devoid of any interiority, working for an over-the-hill crime boss known as Money (Nick Nolte), whom Mike has managed to piss off with his less-than-spotless latest burglary.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Proper ventilation and weekly deep cleaning further reduce mold and grime, keeping your shower fresh and spotless.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For years, the idea of encouraging eligible legal immigrants to the US to become citizens — and full participants in the country’s democracy — enjoyed bipartisan support.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Many legal cannabis ventures enrich hedge funds and politicians, and relatively few benefits accrue to the people who suffered jail time or worse when the drug was criminalized in every state.—
Ezra Marcus,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Otherwise, the tone of the show is pure cosmopolitan sympathy.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
-
That’s why Baumler’s pure stuff will only get him as far as his ability to command it against big league hitters.—
Shawn McFarland,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In this regard, recommendations of top Wall Street analysts can help investors make the right choice, as these experts assign buy ratings after a thorough analysis of a company's fundamentals and its ability to consistently pay dividends.—
,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.—
Keith Caulfield,
Billboard,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Feltner’s routine was pretty simple.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Crime 101 takes the same view of quid pro quo as the most basic form of American commerce and makes simple but brutal points about value and self-worth, where your car, its year, make and model, matters more than your resumé.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2024
Verb
-
Rinse the grates, then wipe dry with a clean, soft towel.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Once the gunk loosens, simply wipe the interior clean with a cloth.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The trooper then removed Jackson from the vehicle.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Jailbreaking in this context refers to a process that removes software restrictions placed on a piece of hardware.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
