1
as in pardon
a setting free from a charge of wrongdoing
the clearing of his good name became his obsession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in opening
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
2
as in ridding
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
cleared the woods of brush
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in paying
to give what is owed for
finally cleared the last debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in emptying
to remove the contents of
cleared a drawer so there would be a place to store his clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in filtering
to remove usually visible impurities from
cleared the car windows
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in freeing
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
cleared himself of any involvement in the matter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in smoothing
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
plows promptly cleared the roads of snow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in acquitting
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
9
as in approving
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory
the administration cleared the plan, and building should begin shortly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in removing
to take away from a place or position
cleared the dishes from the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
11
as in informing
to give information to
please clear my mind about the new arrangement regarding reimbursement for traveling expenses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
12
as in earning
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
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 clearing
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
The practice is also gentler on sensitive areas near water, Johnson said, making it a more environmentally-friendly than mulchers and mechanical clearing.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Luna 9 proved the ground was firm, clearing the path for the next missions.
—Ilya Ferapontov, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clearing
Noun
The Heat also over the past year dealt away forward Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets, in a cap-clearing move, with Highsmith waived Thursday by the Nets.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2026
The practice is also gentler on sensitive areas near water, Johnson said, making it a more environmentally-friendly than mulchers and mechanical clearing.
—Dallas Morning News, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city is considering clearing sidewalks for residents and businesses in future snowstorms and then sending them the bill, citing the mess created by property owners who failed to clear snow as required.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026
Luna 9 proved the ground was firm, clearing the path for the next missions.
—Ilya Ferapontov, Scientific American, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clearing
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the richest among us shower him with cash, planes, gold and cryptocurrency to curry pardons for their criminal activities and policies favorable for their businesses.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Years of high-profile controversies — plea deals, pardons and investigations that feel politicized depending on who is involved — have left Americans skeptical that justice is blind.—
Kaitlyn Buss,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Maybe Romero was the perfect vice-captain under former head coach Ange Postecoglou because his fiery on-field persona balanced the calmness of Son Heung-min.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
-
For decades the old guard has held the line in the South, but the drumbeat of change grew like a fight song on a college football field.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As a first step of the project, De Giglio wanted to bring back the authentic barber experience, opening the Barberia of Eredi Zucca barber shop in Milan with a full range of products encompassing grooming, hair care, body care, skin care, tools and accessories.—
Sandra Salibian,
Footwear News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Shares fell almost 4% before the opening bell.—
Dee-Ann Durbin,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The enduring scent of burning garbage, used as one of the sole means of ridding neighborhoods of their trash.—
Ruth Jean-Marie,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
-
Instead, under that framing, the fault lay with the governor of Minnesota and the mayor of Minneapolis for not ridding their streets of immigrants without legal status to remain in the United States.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In most of the cases, State Farm denied policyholders who had no connection to the company beyond paying their premiums.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
-
For rural counties with limited money, not paying the attorneys on the juvenile docket allows the court to pay for jurors, attorneys on other dockets, courthouse improvements and more, Fransein said.—
Raynee Howell,
Oklahoma Watch,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Scooting is often a sign that your dog’s anal glands are full, irritated or not emptying properly.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Start by emptying shelves, removing all items, one shelf at a time.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Supports Liver Health Coffee can help protect the liver, the body’s filtering organ.—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Forced to turn his pledge into a lie, his dramatic solution was to impose filtering equally on everyone.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Conley was waived Thursday, freeing the veteran 19-year guard to sign with a playoff contender, and seems to be on a reunion course with Minnesota.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Deaths are expected to rise in the years ahead because of an aging population, freeing up more homes.—
Aldo Svaldi,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clearing. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
