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clear

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verb

1
as in to open
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way the early settlers worked hard to clear the land for crops

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as in to pay
to give what is owed for finally cleared the last debt

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as in to empty
to remove the contents of cleared a drawer so there would be a place to store his clothes

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as in to smooth
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions plows promptly cleared the roads of snow

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as in to earn
to receive after charges and deductions have been made cleared enough from that stock transaction to be able to afford a new luxury automobile

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clear

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adverb

as in through

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective clear contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of clear are limpid, translucent, and transparent. While all these words mean "capable of being seen through," clear implies absence of cloudiness, haziness, or muddiness.

clear water

When could limpid be used to replace clear?

Although the words limpid and clear have much in common, limpid suggests the soft clearness of pure water.

her eyes were limpid pools of blue

When can translucent be used instead of clear?

The synonyms translucent and clear are sometimes interchangeable, but translucent implies the passage of light but not a clear view of what lies beyond.

translucent frosted glass

When would transparent be a good substitute for clear?

While the synonyms transparent and clear are close in meaning, transparent implies being so clear that objects can be seen distinctly.

a transparent sheet of film

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 clear
Adjective
The Old Farmer's Almanac details specific moonrise times for ZIP codes across the U.S. Local forecasts also include detailed information on how clear the night sky will be in various locations. Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2025 Schumer made clear on Wednesday that right now, Democrats won't provide those votes. Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
In the end, Forest Service rescuers used chainsaws and heavy equipment to clear an existing road, and the students made it out. Peter Slevin, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2025 In my city, the public works team cleared storm drains well ahead of the massive winter rains. Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Adverb
And More Everton did create a few chances against Aston Villa, but none were clear cut and none resulted in a goal. James Nalton, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 Political analysts said the report’s findings would traditionally spell doom for a politician, but in today’s environment, his future isn’t clear cut, particularly if Gaetz continues to have Trump’s backing. Steven Lemongello, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for clear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear
Adjective
  • Dive your way around the island Courtesy of the Curaçao Tourist Board With more than 70 dive sites, crystal blue water, vibrant coral, and unique biodiversity, Curaçao is a haven for scuba divers.
    Curaçao Tourist Board, AFAR Media, 26 Feb. 2025
  • The skirt alone contains 190,000 crystal sequin and rhinestone embellishments, giving the entire piece a sweeping dress as Grande moves.
    Aamina Inayat Khan, StyleCaster, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Porsha’s very obvious absence.m As the party moves outside for the big surprise, Shamea gets the ultimate birthday flex—a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
    Shelby Stewart, Essence, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The impetus behind the spending boost—hundreds of billions of dollars in two separate packages—is obvious.
    David Axe, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Coming off the back of a 7-1 win against PSV in the Champions League, Arsenal would have felt confident beating its traditional rival United, which has continued to struggle this season.
    Ben Church, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Leithauser left Dessner’s studio confident that This Side of the Island was ready to be released.
    Frank DiGiacomo, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Most avalanche accidents happen on the first sunny day after a storm when people get antsy and disregard red flags.
    Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Forecasters predict a sunny day on Tuesday before more rain settles into parts of the region Wednesday.
    Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Yet as Gee points out, to date, there are still only suppositions, rather than conclusive evidence about why hominins made the transition to a bipedal lifestyle.
    Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The agency is quickly becoming a target of Elon Musk, who has claimed without conclusive evidence that there's rampant fraud from improper payments to dead people.
    Emily Peck, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In the final moments of last week’s episode, Hector Ayala, aka the hero White Tiger, was found innocent in his trial against the NYPD then shot and killed on the street by an unknown murderer.
    Jordan Moreau, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Man Who Killed Meredith Kercher, Amanda Knox's Roommate in Italy, Is Freed from Prison Still, despite being declared innocent and freed, Knox says she was never allowed to fully live her life again.
    Gillian Telling, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The real shining gem of Pokémon's eighth generation was Legends: Arceus.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Sure, the Currys should get another stab at it on Monday, when the Warriors make their annual trek to Charlotte and Steph Curry’s yearly shining moment in uptown takes place.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The Cubs made an impression on Yanagawa as a young kid when the team opened the 2000 season in the Tokyo Dome.
    Patrick Mooney, The Athletic, 11 Mar. 2025
  • When the husband sinks lifelessly into the queen’s arms, her mother-self, sitting beside her, stares straight ahead and opens her mouth wide in a silent scream.
    Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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