cleaning (up)

verb

Definition of cleaning (up)next
present participle of clean (up)
1
as in tidying (up)
to make a place neat and orderly by removing extraneous stuff you're expected to clean up after you use the workroom

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in censoring
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 eradicating
to destroy all traces of hurriedly cleaned up the mess that they had created in the kitchen

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleaning (up)
  1. censoring
  2. shortening
  3. erasing
  4. abolishing
  5. destroying
Verb
  • Moreover, Southerners sought to prevent the spread of abolitionist ideas by censoring the mail and asking northern state governments to silence antislavery organizations.
    Johann Neem / Made by History, TIME, 2 Jan. 2025
  • But a recent study from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression shows there are many professors who are self-censoring — especially among moderates and conservatives.
    Editorial, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2024
Definition of censoring
Verb
  • Exposure to direct sunlight or high temperatures can cause squash to ripen too quickly, shortening its shelf life.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2025
  • One of the most difficult parts of wedding planning is shortening the guest list.
    Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 30 Dec. 2024
Definition of shortening
Verb
  • Letting go isn’t about erasing the past but about honoring the emotional depth while accepting its conclusion.
    Mark Travers, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
  • With rates nearing neutral levels, Powell emphasized the importance of a cautious approach, erasing any lingering hopes for aggressive easing.
    Benzinga, Detroit Free Press, 21 Dec. 2024
Definition of erasing
Verb
  • And any legislation in the Senate may require a filibuster-proof margin of 60 votes; even if all Republican senators were in favor of abolishing the department (which is not at all a sure thing), that would still require seven Democratic senators to join them — a tall order.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • Perkins, a city commissioner since 2016, supports abolishing the contract with the Broward Sheriff’s Office in favor of a city police force.
    Lisa J. Huriash, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2024
Definition of abolishing
Verb
  • The most pressing problem concerns European Union rules on carbon dioxide emissions, with bottom-line-destroying fines for the bigger failures.
    Neil Winton, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
  • As a series of explosions could be heard destroying the structure's support pillars, causing the old hotel to fall inward, the crowd of onlookers are heard in the video erupting in cheers.
    Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025
Definition of destroying
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near cleaning (up)

cleaning (out)

cleaning (up)

cleaning up one's act

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Cite this Entry

“Cleaning (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleaning%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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