clear 1 of 3

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clear

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verb

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

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clear

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adverb

as in through

Related Words

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
Plus, find the answers to all your burning clear whey protein powder questions (what even is a whey isolate, anyway?) below. Francesca Krempa, SELF, 7 Aug. 2025 The Lions won the test and clinched the series with a try from Hugo Keenan in the final seconds but the Wallabies were upset about a ruling from referee Andrea Piardi over a clear-out at a ruck immediately beforehand. Nick Mulvenney, Reuters, 29 July 2025
Verb
But what might motivate the impending path-crossing between Dani and Ridge is less clear, especially in light of Dani and Devon having their own flirty run-in at the tail end of James' time on Beyond the Gates. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025 Establish clear handoff procedures and determine who is responsible for what tasks when someone is out. Johnny C. Taylor Jr, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2025
Adverb
The plan cleared a procedural hurdle in the New York State Senate in the spring as Cohen’s group, which also includes Hard Rock International, seeks one of three gaming licenses expected to be awarded by the end of this year. Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025 Passengers were gradually allowed to re-enter the building, where airport staff began working to clear the backlog and process travellers through security. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear
Adjective
  • For less obvious water damage, car owners might eventually smell mold or mildew.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
  • All of which raises an obvious question.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Runge advises patients to ask how AI tools are being used in their care, choose providers who are transparent, and expect bedside empathy alongside cutting-edge diagnostics.
    Nia Bowers, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In this way, cosmic dust behaves as a very efficient absorber of visible light, is only lightly absorbed by near-infrared light, and is practically perfectly transparent to mid-infrared (and longer) wavelengths of light.
    Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • According to color theory, certain shades work beautifully with burgundy.
    Jamie Wilson, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Only certain oil and gas facilities, including natural gas pipelines, will still be mandated to report emissions of gases like methane, but can delay reporting those emissions until the year 2034.
    Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Weather Channel says warm, sunny days are ideal for stunning fall colors, but only if they are followed by cool nights.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Autumn brings a fresh flush of flowers to carpet the ground in cool blues and purples, sunny yellow, and warm rose to red hues.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The findings were intriguing, but not conclusive.
    Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Trans athletes and their advocates, meanwhile, say there is a lack of consistent, conclusive research to support this claim and argue trans people deserve the right to compete with their peers.
    Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Because eclipsed moons appear dimmer than normal, a clear, unobstructed view low to the horizon will be needed to catch the lunar show.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Overlooking Reykjavik’s Old Harbour with unobstructed views of Mount Esja and the North Atlantic, the hotel offers an ideal position for aurora sightings within the city, with many of the hotel’s 253 rooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows to take advantage of the landscape.
    Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Someone's mispronunciation, for example, might have more do with innocent ignorance as opposed to a mistake worth correcting.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The new location will allow Wiggam Law to support clients outside of downtown Atlanta and directly in Gwinnett County, offering legal services including audit defense, tax litigation, penalty abatement, innocent spouse relief and IRS collections representation.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Attendees rode in support of and alongside community member Eva Zamora, who is a shining example of how to live your best life with Parkinson’s disease and takes cycle classes at EōS regularly, a news release stated.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Her next shining moment comes when two young sisters enter the hospital.
    Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Clear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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