clean synonyms

clean

modif.

  1. Not soiled

    spotless, washed, stainless, laundered, immaculate, unsoiled, untarnished, speckless, unstained, neat, tidy, clear, blank, white, dirtless, unblemished, unspotted, newly cleaned, cleaned, fresh, unused, snowy, well-kept, dustless, unsmirched, cleansed, scrubbed, sanitary, antiseptic, unsullied, spick-and-span, clean as a whistle*, squeaky-clean*.

    Antonyms soiled, dirty*, stained.

  2. Not contaminated

    unadulterated, wholesome; see pure 2, sanitary.

  3. Neat

    orderly, tidy, regular; see neat 1.

  4. Having sharp outlines

    clear-cut, sharp, distinct; see definite 2.

  5. Legible; having few errors

    clear, plain, distinct, readable, precise, correct; see also accurate 1.

    Antonyms illegible*, confusing*, vague. *

  6. Sinless

    pure, wholesome, unsullied, virtuous; see innocent 1, 4.

  7. Thorough

    complete, entire, total; see absolute 1.

  8. Fair

    reliable, decent, lawful, sportsmanlike; see decent 2, fair 1, honest 1.

  9. Well-proportioned

    streamlined, shapely, graceful, spare; see trim 2.

  10. Not obscene or indecent

    inoffensive, decorous, wholesome, G-rated*; see chaste 2, decent 2.

  11. Free from radioactivity

    decontaminated, not dangerous, checked.

come clean*

confess, tell the truth, own up*; see admit 2.

clean

v.

cleanse, clean up, clean out, clear up, clear out, wash, wash up, scrub, scrub off, soak, disinfect, tidy, tidy up, neaten, straighten up, shake out, purify, decontaminate, sanitize, deodorize, purge, expurgate, swab, polish, sterilize, scrape, sweep, scour, launder, dry-clean, vacuum, scald, dust, mop, cauterize, rinse, sponge, brush, dress, comb, dredge, pick, blow, whisk, wipe, wipe up, clarify, elutriate, winnow, rake, clean away, lave, bathe, expunge, soap, hose down, rasp, erase, shampoo, refine, flush, depurate, deterge, blot, hackle, leach, lixiviate, rub off, sandblast, freshen, put in order, bleach, spruce up, do up*, slick up*, clear the decks*, police up*; see also purify, wash 1. 2.

Antonyms dirty*, soil*, smear*, mess up.

clean, the broader term, denotes generally the removal of dirt, impurities, or extraneous matter, as by washing or brushing; cleanse suggests more specifically the removal of impurities, as by the use of chemicals, and is often used metaphorically to imply purification to cleanse one's mind of evil thoughts

Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.