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
Remote parts of the Australian Outback will enjoy more than five minutes of totality beneath some of the clearest skies on Earth. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The official Ukrainian position on civilians held in Russia is clear. — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
He was cleared to participate in training camp just seven months after sustaining ACL and LCL tears. — Sam McDowell 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026 Every child deserves a real shot and a real way to clear the hurdles between them and a job or a college degree. — Sen. Doug McCrory, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Forest degradation, driven by wildfires, logging and drought, affects about 40% of the Amazon and has outpaced clear-cutting in recent years. — Gabriela Sa Pessoa, Fortune, 12 June 2026 In the past, doctors steered clear of transplanting organs for people with HIV. — Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 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
  • Areas where forecasts consistently predict clear skies — or persistent cloud — will become increasingly obvious as eclipse day approaches.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The choice of Bailey as the newest Giorgio Armani global fragrance ambassador was obvious.
    — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of obvious
Adjective
  • There’s a red transparent d-pad, plus matching triggers and several clear-red face buttons.
    — Mitch Wallace, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Semi-transparent, a screen door is an invitation, allowing a peek inside.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of transparent
Adjective
  • In the long run, leaders are confident the 19 new boats will prove suitable replacements for the Ohios.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • These signals, coupled with the Jassy masterclass, made the market feel more confident that capex from the spenders hasn't peaked yet, which is good for the vendors.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of confident
Adjective
  • The biggest temperature drops usually happen during sunny summer afternoons when the sun angle is high in the sky.
    — Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026
  • September is the best time to be on Nantucket, with swimmable water, sunny days, and crisp evenings.
    — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of sunny
Adjective
  • The opposite mistake is to treat every statistical change or customer complaint as conclusive evidence of material harm.
    — Gerald J. Leonard, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • There’s less conclusive evidence that microdosing works the same way by engaging the same neuro-receptors, but less intensely.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Aug. 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
  • Caught in the crossfire are innocent kids trying simply to stay in safety.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • But on her path, Jean causes bodily and emotional harm to both Peter and numerous innocent bystanders by inhabiting their bodies and forcing them to do her bidding.
    — Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 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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Cite this Entry

“Clear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of clear for Spanish Speakers

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