1
as in to tidy (up)
to make a place neat and orderly by removing extraneous stuff
you're expected to clean up after you use the workroom
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to censor
to remove objectionable parts from
cleaned up the rock star's interview before publishing it in the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of
hurriedly cleaned up the mess that they had created in the kitchen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in killing
an exceptionally large return
The couple made a cleanup when they flipped the house.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clean (up)
Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
The company said cleanup efforts are being carried out safely and as quickly as possible.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Thank you for the privilege to do this important work alongside my fellow city volunteers who serve on City Council, boards and commissions, and who give their time to park cleanups and other efforts that strengthen our community.
—Kara King, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Sources said the procedure was simply a cleanup and not serious.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clean (up)
Noun
Buenrostro suggests an island for prep and cleanup, and another for your entertaining space.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Feb. 2026
The company said cleanup efforts are being carried out safely and as quickly as possible.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
Thank you for the privilege to do this important work alongside my fellow city volunteers who serve on City Council, boards and commissions, and who give their time to park cleanups and other efforts that strengthen our community.
—Kara King, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Sources said the procedure was simply a cleanup and not serious.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clean (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clean (up)
Verb
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African films depicting same-sex relationships have historically been censored on the continent, including those that garnered international accolades.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, activists say, officials have moved to censor discussion of the issue, blocking searches and silencing those who have tried to warn women or press for action.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The outbreaks have mostly impacted children and have come as infectious disease experts warn that rising public distrust of vaccines generally may be contributing to the spread of a disease once declared eradicated by public health officials.—
Matt Brown,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
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The outbreaks have mostly affected children and have come as infectious disease experts warn that rising public distrust of vaccines generally may be contributing to the spread of a disease once declared eradicated by public health officials.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a non-profit research organization, has tracked nihilistic attacks across the globe, including stabbings in Sweden by teenagers associated with a group called No Lives Matter, and the killing of three girls in northern England.—
Curt Devine,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Despite a recent string of shark attacks across the California coast, including the tragic killing of a 55-year-old swimmer, the violent incidents dropped in the United States in 2025 compared to the year prior.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That timeline by the end of the year would have coincided with an orbital alignment around the sun that would shorten the journey between Earth and Mars.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Decision-making cycles are shortening.—
Christopher Vollmer,
Fortune,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Josh Safdie’s feverish ping-pong epic, Marty (Timothée Chalamet) breaks from his benefactor, pen tycoon Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary), risking everything to erase an old defeat.—
Daron James,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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There are still many in this country who value truth, who believe that history should be preserved and not erased, who understand that constitutional rights should not be swept away to suit the whims of a megalomaniac, and who refuse to wallow in ignorance and hate.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Over the same period, corporate profits, or the leftover cash used to grow a business or pay owners, have been on the rise, reaching nearly 12% of the share of gross domestic income in the third quarter, up from 6%.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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Cineplex saw its fourth quarter profits and revenue fall on lower theater attendance.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Today’s edition of 5 Things AM was edited and produced by CNN’s Andrew Torgan.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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The creation of this content included the use of AI based on templates created, reviewed and edited by journalists in the newsroom.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hindley, Catherine’s elder brother, is abolished entirely — his vices reassigned to the father.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Nexstar is seeking a waiver from the FCC from the 39% cap, while the agency is considering whether to raise that threshold or abolish it altogether.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clean (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean%20%28up%29. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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