cleanly 1 of 2

adverb

ˈklēn-lē How to pronounce cleanly (audio)
Definition of cleanlynext
as in legally
according to the rules or the law it was a cleanly fought match, so you have no grounds for complaint

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cleanly

2 of 2

adjective

as in sanitary

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 cleanly
Adverb
Marshall gets his fingers on the pass, preventing the ball from being caught cleanly. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 The brain’s modularity, a parameter that describes how cleanly neurons stay sorted into specialist teams, dropped across all four parts of the experimental sequence. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026
Adjective
Director Jennifer Chang understands clearly and cleanly which moments need specific tones and moods. — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025 Among the 21 artists are Julia Chon and Dave Young Kim, who offer cleanly hard-edge paintings of, respectively, a woman in traditional garb and two storks below two strands of barbed wire. — Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for cleanly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanly
  1. legally
  2. sanitary
  3. sterile
  4. hygienic
  5. pure
  6. untainted
  7. washed
  8. wholesome
Adverb
  • Legal counsel for both the city and the School District have confirmed a joint partnership is legally permissible.
    — Randy Moll, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Evans refers to Holmes as his wife, but Holmes told People that the couple never legally married.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of legally
Adjective
  • Attempting to de-escalate the scare, Rospotrebnadzor declared the regional sanitary situation stable after secondary testing showed no traces of dangerous pathogens linked to Shipilova’s research.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • As the war raged on, this makeshift countermeasure was replaced by more sanitary and effective innovations, including gauze pads soaked in hyposulfite solution, flannel hoods, tube helmets, and box respirators.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of sanitary
Adjective
  • The second stories house supplies of the metals, films, and components needed, as well as a very substantial set of HVAC equipment to keep the processes sterile, dust-free, and at the right temperature.
    — John Voelcker, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Right now yeast fermentation is the standard method of producing heme (as leghemoglobin), but the sterile environment and industrial equipment necessary for manufacturing can be pricey.
    — Lila Magbilang, Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of sterile
Adjective
  • Plus, the product features a push-jar for extra hygienic application (AKA, no scooping product out of the jar with your fingers).
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Once dry, the items can remain protected inside the machine in a hygienic storage environment supported by a medical-grade HEPA filter.
    — Wyles Daniel, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of hygienic
Adjective
  • In My Own Words is a product of the enchantment and pure yearning Ne-Yo saw as fundamental to R&B.
    — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils are crafted to deliver long-lasting, natural fragrance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • Plant operators must prove to nearby towns that their water tables remain untainted.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In theory, this untainted market response can then guide Fed officials debating whether to raise or lower rates.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of untainted
Adjective
  • Made from naturally breathable, skin-friendly, pre-washed linen, the quilt is designed to hold up for years while growing softer with every wash.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026
  • As the Cyclospora outbreak grows, experts recommend washing all fresh produce that hasn’t been pre-washed—not just lettuce.
    — Sarah Garone, HEALTH, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of washed
Adjective
  • Here, the book loosens its grip on its wholesome view of the Westish clique, letting its characters do several ugly and petty and longed-for things—letting them, in other words, grow up.
    — Emma Alpern, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026
  • There were many elements that felt surprisingly simple and wholesome.
    — Kate Berlant, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of wholesome

Browse Nearby Words

cleanliness
cleanly
cleanness
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Cite this Entry

“Cleanly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanly. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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