1
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation
a clear-cut case of plagiarism that resulted in her immediate dismissal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explicit
so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning
clear-cut instructions that even an idiot should be able to follow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clear-cut
In other cases, the reasons for transferring may not be as clear-cut—for instance, a student simply didn’t mesh with the social scene on campus or doesn’t like the sleepy town their college is located in.
—
Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The design credentials are less clear-cut.
—New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2026
But for people living with a rare disease, the issue isn't so clear-cut.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
And in cybersecurity, where the role of hackers and the defenders are clear-cut, red teaming has a substantial track record.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clear-cut
Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The design credentials are less clear-cut.
—New Atlas, 17 Jan. 2026
But for people living with a rare disease, the issue isn't so clear-cut.
—Brad Quick, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2026
And in cybersecurity, where the role of hackers and the defenders are clear-cut, red teaming has a substantial track record.
—IEEE Spectrum, 15 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for clear-cut
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear-cut
Adjective
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Henry Ford, but for housing If the goal is to bring down building costs, rethinking the basics of the construction process is an obvious place to start.—
Ben Christopher,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The imminent launch got less obvious cues throughout the show, too.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While the researchers don’t know for sure why speed training showed a benefit while the other forms did not, one possibility lies in the difference between implicit and explicit learning.—
Akshay Syal,
NBC news,
9 Feb. 2026
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Wuthering Heights has the tunnel-vision horniness and girlish aesthetic sensibility of a high-school freshman who’s been assigned to read Brontë in class while tearing through a pile of explicit bodice-rippers under the covers at home.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Yet a significant portion of the crowd remains dedicated members, and their deep appreciation of– and cosmic ode to protect, this space is more than apparent.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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Last Thursday, the league issued a $500,000 fine to the Utah Jazz and a $100,000 penalty to the Indiana Pacers for sitting healthy players, believing their apparent tanking actions compromised the league's competitive integrity.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Currently, Scream 7 is great with the 17-34 bunch and multicultural audiences across definite interest and first choice.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
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There's a definite need to take a look at systemic safety on our roadways.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Telltale Signs of Rotary Motion The re-examination revealed unmistakable evidence that this was no simple awl meant for poking holes.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Those distinctive features give the species a look that is at once gentle and unmistakable — a face that, for the wildlife community, has become a symbol of how close a species can come to vanishing entirely and still find a path back.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This is the 18th century, after all — DNA and 23andMe are still two centuries off, so definitive proof of the seemingly impossible lineage will take time and effort to piece together.—
Amy Wilkinson,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Feb. 2026
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The candy analysis has not been peer-reviewed, and in a press release, the FDOH indicated that the study findings aren’t definitive.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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McDonald said a clear motive was not identified, nor was a specific target.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Feb. 2026
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Earlier this week, after lawmakers said the names of several high-profile figures had been concealed in the documents without clear legal reasons, the department also moved to un-redact more than a dozen additional names.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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By adjusting for variables such as smoking, physical activity and underlying health conditions, the researchers were able to isolate the specific relationship between caffeine intake and long-term brain health, SWNS noted.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
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James Reilly, senior markets economist at Capital Economics, said in a note that while the broader stock market continues to climb higher, exposure to AI will be a specific boost or drag for certain companies.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clear-cut.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear-cut. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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