clear 1 of 3

adjective

ˈklir How to pronounce clear (audio)
Definition of clearnext
1
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation the meaning of her broad smile was clear to the whole class

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2
as in transparent
easily seen through the clear glass walls of the aquarium's giant ocean tank

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3
as in certain
having or showing a mind free from doubt I need to be absolutely clear about what you're saying

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4
as in sunny
not stormy or cloudy novice pilots can only fly on clear days

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5
as in conclusive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning the evidence is clear: he's innocent

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6
as in unobstructed
allowing passage without obstruction flooding was widespread, and only some roads are clear so far

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7
as in innocent
free from guilt or blame slept with a clear conscience

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8
as in shining
giving off or reflecting much light spermaceti candles were once highly prized for the clear flame that they produced

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clear

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to rid
to set (a person or thing) free of something that encumbers cleared the woods of brush

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2
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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3
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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4
as in to clarify
to remove usually visible impurities from cleared the car windows

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5
as in to free
to set free from entanglement or difficulty cleared himself of any involvement in the matter

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6
as in to smooth
to make passage through (something) possible by removing obstructions plows promptly cleared the roads of snow

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7
as in to acquit
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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8
as in to approve
to give official acceptance of as satisfactory the administration cleared the plan, and building should begin shortly

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9
as in to remove
to take away from a place or position cleared the dishes from the table

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10
as in to inform
to give information to please clear my mind about the new arrangement regarding reimbursement for traveling expenses

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11
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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12
as in to pay
to give what is owed for finally cleared the last debt

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clear

3 of 3

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
Most polls show Eisenkot's camp ahead of Netanyahu's, but those same polls show neither has a clear path to victory. — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026 Quarterback Malik Willis threw for two touchdowns and run for a score to help lead the Dolphins over their AFC East foe, while Miami showed some clear spirit on the road post-bye week. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
The festival also spotlights the environmental benefits of traditional grazing, in which livestock are used to clear brush and other flammable undergrowth, reducing the spread of wildfires. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 Days later, Daniels was spotted at practice where he was cleared to participate, setting him up to play against the 49ers. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Adverb
The course was built in just six months – with no irrigation or mass clear-cutting of trees. — Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 Having used so much draft capital up front, Seattle’s clear biggest need is finding puck-moving, mobile defensemen. — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for clear
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear
  1. obvious
  2. transparent
  3. confident
  4. sunny
  5. conclusive
  6. cleared
  7. innocent
  8. shining
Adjective
  • These reveal problems that might not be obvious in the short term, such as liver damage, as well as underlying conditions that could turn minor issues into something serious.
    — Amy Maxmen, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
  • If there are lessons from the 2025 wave of crypto IPOs, the most obvious is that investors should proceed with caution.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • What matters is being transparent, listening to employees’ concerns and following through when answers become available.
    — Jon Lowe, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Now with Daniela landing in this transparent enclosure with him, this Jason helps plot their escape with the extra ampoules that she’s brought with her.
    — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of transparent
Adjective
  • If Taipei refrains from crossing the ultimate red line of declaring formal independence, Beijing appears confident in its long-term strategy of integration.
    — Ningrong Liu, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In short, analysts are confident that music streaming services such as Spotify can enforce strict account policies, raise prices, and still make more money.
    — Nick Indge, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of confident
Adjective
  • Skies will calm just in time for a beautiful sunny Saturday in the 70s.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • In addition to the restaurant and bars, there’s a rooftop pool surrounded by sunny yellow fringed umbrellas, comfy daybeds, and a profusion of plants.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of sunny
Adjective
  • Public health officials say there is no conclusive scientific evidence that supports using cat’s claw for any health purposes.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Although the possibility that better sleep could reduce opioid use after surgery is promising, Amaya cautioned that the findings are not conclusive.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of conclusive
Adjective
  • Not all pads are alike, but a footprint on the larger side involves five to ten acres of cleared, packed ground that serves as the hub for drilling equipment, which can include wellheads, pump jacks, tanks, wastewater storage pits, trailers, and flare stacks.
    — Alex Heard, Outside, 4 Mar. 2026
  • What counts as a cleared sidewalk?
    — Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 1 Dec. 2025
Definition of cleared
Adjective
  • An innocent person could potentially have faced unnecessary scrutiny.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Everyone charged is presumed innocent while their cases move through the courts.
    — Raven Lightsey, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of innocent
Adjective
  • At a time of so much partisanship in Congress, especially related to health care, breakthrough legislation is a shining example of how commonsense policies that support patient care and innovation can achieve broad support.
    — Josh Makower, STAT, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Those memories will remain some of the most shining and unforgettable moments of my life.
    — Jeff Benjamin, Forbes.com, 12 Mar. 2026
Definition of shining

Phrases Containing clear

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clear
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Cite this Entry

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

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