1
as in to tidy (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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2
as in to censor
to remove objectionable parts from
cleaned up the rock star's interview before publishing it in the newspaper
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3
as in to eradicate
to destroy all traces of
hurriedly cleaned up the mess that they had created in the kitchen
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as in killing
an exceptionally large return
The couple made a cleanup when they flipped the house.
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of clean (up)
Jessica Trufant, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
Chapters are typically action-driven, and activities often include volunteer projects like street cleanups, food bank support and community gardening.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
Hayden contends the state’s toxic substance regulators have not overseen a proper cleanup of the warehouse site and the surrounding area.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
In the aftermath of the hurricane, Stiver slept in his tent outside the hostel and helped in the cleanup efforts around Erwin for two weeks.
—Graham Hurley, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clean (up) 
Noun
Cleanup of animals is underway Brookline police also said local residents wanted to help with the cleanup and treatment of the animals, but were denied due to safety reasons.
—Jessica Trufant, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024
Chapters are typically action-driven, and activities often include volunteer projects like street cleanups, food bank support and community gardening.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024
Hayden contends the state’s toxic substance regulators have not overseen a proper cleanup of the warehouse site and the surrounding area.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024
In the aftermath of the hurricane, Stiver slept in his tent outside the hostel and helped in the cleanup efforts around Erwin for two weeks.
—Graham Hurley, CNN, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clean (up)
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clean (up)
Verb
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Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump's orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan's scrutiny of Big Tech firms.CBS News, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2024
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Mace is among several conservatives who have claimed social media platforms are censoring their content and viewpoints.Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Our rating: False The World Health Organization declared smallpox officially eradicated in 1980.Chris Mueller, Austin American-Statesman, 29 Nov. 2024
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These efforts are a part of Paul Quinn’s broader mission to eradicate generational poverty.Melissa Noel, Essence, 25 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The national animal welfare organization is working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and make the country no-kill in 2025.Saman Shafiq, The Courier-Journal, 2 Dec. 2024
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The trial of two police officers accused in the killing of Herman Whitfield III began Monday.Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The central pendant can be removed and worn as a brooch, the necklace shortened and worn as a bracelet.Anthony DeMarco, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024
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For instance, Alinta can shorten to Lin while a baby named Dianella can be called Ella for short.Sherri Gordon, Parents, 2 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Advertisement Politics Climate change could erase the Pacific islands.Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024
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But Syracuse quickly erased it, tying the score at 21-21 on McCord’s second touchdown pass of the game 39 seconds into the second half.Manny Navarro, The Athletic, 1 Dec. 2024
Noun
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While Gamuda reported unexciting results on Thursday, with net profit rising 5% year-on-year to 205.4 million ringgit in the three months ended October despite a 47% jump in revenue to 4.1 billion ringgit, Kenanga’s Teh projects stronger earnings ahead for the company.Jonathan Burgos, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
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At the end of the day, O'Mara says, all the powerful tech companies want is to keep growing their size, influence and profits, and executives are hoping Trump will not interfere with the industry's expansion.Bobby Allyn, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians.Laura-Zoë Humphreys and Daymar Valdés Frigola / Made by History, TIME, 6 Dec. 2024
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This edition of Forbes Daily was edited by Sarah Whitmire, Chris Dobstaff and Caroline Howard.Danielle Chemtob, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Rankin believed that without a widespread moral awakening, the prospect was slim that slavery could be abolished.TIME, TIME, 2 Dec. 2024
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Kash Patel vows to abolish the ‘deep state’; Trump’s FBI pick thrills MAGA base Robby Soave and Steven Olikara weigh in on Donald Trump’s nominee to spearhead the FBI, Kash Patel.The Hill, The Hill, 2 Dec. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Clean (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clean%20%28up%29. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
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