1
as in pardon
a setting free from a charge of wrongdoing
the clearing of his good name became his obsession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in opening
to rid the surface of (as an area) from things in the way
the early settlers worked hard to clear the land for crops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ridding
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers
cleared the woods of brush
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in paying
to give what is owed for
finally cleared the last debt
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4
as in emptying
to remove the contents of
cleared a drawer so there would be a place to store his clothes
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5
as in filtering
to remove usually visible impurities from
cleared the car windows
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6
as in freeing
to set free from entanglement or difficulty
cleared himself of any involvement in the matter
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7
as in smoothing
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions
plows promptly cleared the roads of snow
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8
as in acquitting
to free from a charge of wrongdoing
she had once been accused of embezzlement, but an investigation by the bank cleared her
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9
as in approving
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory
the administration cleared the plan, and building should begin shortly
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10
as in removing
to take away from a place or position
cleared the dishes from the table
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11
as in informing
to give information to
please clear my mind about the new arrangement regarding reimbursement for traveling expenses
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12
as in earning
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clearing
Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Signs that may suggest swallowing difficulty include coughing or throat clearing during meals, needing extra time to chew food, or avoiding certain textures — especially dry or sticky foods.
—Sundeep Venkatesan, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
Michael Rios, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
After clearing the site — the last major encampment left standing in the city — officials intend to restore the environment.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clearing
Noun
In May 2019, a group of homeless people filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Sacramento County over an encampment clearing on Stockton Boulevard.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Signs that may suggest swallowing difficulty include coughing or throat clearing during meals, needing extra time to chew food, or avoiding certain textures — especially dry or sticky foods.
—Sundeep Venkatesan, The Conversation, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
Radar, communications and air defense infrastructure were knocked out, according to CNN’s review of videos and satellite imagery, clearing a path for special operations helicopters to move in.
—Michael Rios, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
After clearing the site — the last major encampment left standing in the city — officials intend to restore the environment.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for clearing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clearing
Noun
-
The president later granted Stone a full pardon.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
As governor, Moore himself issued a mass pardon for misdemeanor drug convictions.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ridden Saturday for the first time by jockey Flavien Prat, Commandment dropped back to last in the field of six midway through the 1 1/8-mile stakes, content to allow the others to contest the pace.—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Through adoptions, education, outreach, and field services, the shelter provides critical support to promote responsible pet care in the community.—
Janay Reece,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His parents prospered, opening a fur shop called Paris-New York and moving to the tony Sixteenth Arrondissement.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
1 Apr. 2026
-
The Harris Theater for Music and Dance has announced its 2026-27 season of dance, music and theater, its 20th anniversary season in Millennium Park, opening with a visit from the Trisha Brown Dance Company in September.—
Doug George,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, the addition of an ingredient or two can turn baking soda into an ant-ridding remedy in a pinch.—
Rabekah Henderson,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The enduring scent of burning garbage, used as one of the sole means of ridding neighborhoods of their trash.—
Ruth Jean-Marie,
Time,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Accordingly, here’s a look at 10 high-paying careers that are dominated – or at least led – by women.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For a 200-unit project receiving city incentives, for example, that would mean paying $200,000 rather than include 40 affordable units in a development.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ashley Dixon, content creator and home DIY expert behind Alexander Renee Design, says that the process is straightforward, and should start with emptying your fridge of items past their prime.—
Lori Keong,
Architectural Digest,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Heat waved the white flag midway through the fourth quarter, emptying its bench.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Huge columns made of light pink and dove gray Tennessee marble shone in the evening light filtering in from the glass roof.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Testing well water regularly and correctly filtering it in a home can cost hundreds of dollars a year.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Several years later, then-President Abraham Lincoln, a member of the Republican Party, issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, freeing all slaves living in Confederate states who were against the Union.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Mar. 2026
-
After freeing a man who was convicted in a pizza delivery driver’s slaying, the state’s Parole Board has rejected releasing an accomplice who fatally stabbed the food courier.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clearing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clearing. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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