1
as in tidying (up)
to make a place neat and orderly by removing extraneous stuff
you're expected to clean up after you use the workroom
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in censoring
to remove objectionable parts from
cleaned up the rock star's interview before publishing it in the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in eradicating
to destroy all traces of
hurriedly cleaned up the mess that they had created in the kitchen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleaning (up)
Verb
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As such, censoring misinformation carries the strong risk of censoring a good-faith idea.—
Jacob Hale Russell,
TIME,
4 Mar. 2025 -
Lambert said that the family set strict parameters around protecting the privacy of the four youngest children by blurring out their faces and censoring their names whenever they were mentioned.—
Angela Yang,
NBC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Exposure to direct sunlight or high temperatures can cause squash to ripen too quickly, shortening its shelf life.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
5 Jan. 2025
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One of the most difficult parts of wedding planning is shortening the guest list.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Letting go isn’t about erasing the past but about honoring the emotional depth while accepting its conclusion.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
23 Dec. 2024
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Shares fell nearly 24% through December 13, erasing $22 billion from Bettencourt Meyers’ net worth.—
Julie Goldenberg,
Forbes,
21 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Actually abolishing the department will require action from Congress, but the effort could have major implications for everything from universities’ federal funding to college students applying for loans to pay for their education.—
The Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2025
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While the order, and its potential effect, sent shockwaves across Missouri and the nation, actually abolishing the Education Department will still require action from Congress.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The most pressing problem concerns European Union rules on carbon dioxide emissions, with bottom-line-destroying fines for the bigger failures.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes,
5 Jan. 2025
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Records say Hollis sought help after Richard, having abused drugs and not slept for four days, went into a rage, tearing the house apart and destroying furniture.—
Carol Marbin,
Miami Herald,
2 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Cleaning (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleaning%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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