1
as in corrupt
having or showing lowered moral character or standards
there's something unclean about this whole business
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in filthy
not clean
a lackadaisical waiter who tried to set our table with smudged glasses and unclean silverware
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unclean
But so long as the cultural narrative persists around vaginas being unclean or smelly, companies will continue to create items deemed to cleanse them.
—
Erica Sloan, SELF, 3 June 2025
Inspectors found pork butt roast stored directly on unclean storage racks located inside the walk-in cooler.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2025
Several areas had debris and unclean surfaces, including the three-compartment sink and areas behind the ice machine and under the prep sink.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
Full Story Benefits of boiling water with dirty fuels outweigh the risk in areas with unclean resources: Study
Boiling unclean water in many regions of the world results in air pollution from burning dirty fuels, but the benefits of doing so usually outweigh the risks, a new study has found.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Erica Sloan, SELF, 3 June 2025
Inspectors found pork butt roast stored directly on unclean storage racks located inside the walk-in cooler.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 16 May 2025
Several areas had debris and unclean surfaces, including the three-compartment sink and areas behind the ice machine and under the prep sink.
—Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025
Full Story Benefits of boiling water with dirty fuels outweigh the risk in areas with unclean resources: Study
Boiling unclean water in many regions of the world results in air pollution from burning dirty fuels, but the benefits of doing so usually outweigh the risks, a new study has found.
—Rachel Frazin, The Hill, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unclean
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unclean
Adjective
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After decades when Ukraine was seen as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, cleaning up its government has been held up as the most important condition for Kyiv to join the European Union and integrate more broadly with the West.—
Olena Harmash,
USA Today,
23 July 2025
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Set in 1987 Oakland, Freaky Tales is a multi-track mixtape of colorful characters – an NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teen punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector – on a collision course in a fever dream of showdowns and battles.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Indeed, the trio looked filthy, and one even had a red, watery eye.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
-
Sharp has long been one of New York’s filthiest comedians.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Not every mosquito carries West Nile virus, and not everyone who contracts the virus will get sick.—
Madeline Heim,
jsonline.com,
28 July 2025
-
Cena took the opportunity to chug water to avoid getting sick.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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Another is to use one of the brand's sprays and spritz the dirty surface, wipe it down, then rinse with water.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 July 2025
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That version of Boldy — the skilled scorer not afraid to go to the dirty areas — had superstar qualities and scored some big-time goals.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Adjective
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On top of software setbacks, the OP said the vehicle's battery had to be replaced, but with a degraded unit that reduced range by 30 miles overnight.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
-
In the kitchen, opt for glass and stainless-steel containers, and throw away degraded plastic tools.—
Annie Lowrey,
The Atlantic,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
On the palate, the wine is velvety and streamlined with notes of black cherry, dusty chocolate mocha and graphite, with a long elegant finish.—
Liz Thach,
Forbes.com,
28 July 2025
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Silvery fabric curtained the frame around him, floating loosely in the cold, dusty air.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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In its time open, fueled by fans of its blackened mahi and buttery lobster rolls, owner Mike Smith has expanded his footprint, moving into a larger stall in the popular food hall — which has allowed for a menu expansion, as well.—
Amy Drew Thompson,
Orlando Sentinel,
6 Dec. 2022
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There are no glamorous furnishings — just a French window, its blackened panes suggesting the dark of night.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Oct. 2022
Adjective
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Entertainment Weekly has an exclusive sneak peek of The Challenge: Vets and New Threats premiere that reveals CT struggles pretty much immediately in the first daily challenge when the pairs have to climb up a muddy hill to collect balls over and over again.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
30 July 2025
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Participants should wear closed-toe shoes that can get muddy and wet.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unclean.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unclean. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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