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
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Recent Examples of clear
Adjective
His ball cut through the wind and sailed clear over the green into the water, leading to a triple bogey that ended his hopes.—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2025 Avoiding nonessential travel and keeping roads clear helps the plows move more quickly.—Adam Tamburin, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
The extent of the driver’s injuries were not immediately clear.—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 July 2025 Lawyers for the immigrant rights groups challenging the law said the courts have been clear that such penalties are unconstitutional because immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility.—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Adverb
Skies were clear when the evacuation took place, but the ample time allowed plenty of opportunity for fest goers and staff to clear the area before storms finally arrived in the 8 p.m. hour.—Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 12 July 2025 After the event had ended, police worked to clear Summit Park and sent everyone home.—Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for clear
Don’t pack: Large toiletry bags Pack this instead: Small, transparent toiletry bags
Large toiletry bags can take up a lot of unnecessary and valuable space in a carry-on suitcase.
—
Asia London Palomba,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
Several silhouettes were encased in rigid, transparent plastic shells, and veiled, sometimes with bejeweled faces.
Keep in mind that buckwheat can cause allergic reactions in certain people (especially in Asian countries), particularly if eaten frequently or in large amounts.
—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
15 July 2025
However, Flow Space may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Chandan Khanna | Afp | Getty Images The Sunshine State isn’t always sunny, of course, especially during hurricane season.
—
Scott Cohn,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
There were two more medical incidents in the crowd, but the Spaniard kept up the sunny disposition when play restarted to take the opener with a 100 per cent success rates on first serve points.
First, as Paul points out, laboratory tests may not be conclusive or may appear normal, even when the patient is clearly experiencing abnormal symptoms.
—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Flow Space,
7 July 2025
Replay seemed to show LeMahieu getting in under Sánchez’s tag, but a lack of conclusive evidence led to the original call being upheld after a review.
—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2025
Have a wide, unobstructed view of the sky, a lawn chair or a blanket to lay down on, and do not try to use a telescope or binoculars — a rookie error that will hugely restrict your view.
—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
The hotel's infinity pool, carved right into the cliffside, makes for a perfect Instagram photo backdrop, though rooms also include private plunge pools that come with their own unobstructed sunset views and a bit more privacy.
So far, the city's liability insurance carriers have agreed to pay nearly $27 million to settle four civil rights lawsuits alleging detectives — including some identified by multiple former officers as Wolverines — framed innocent people.
—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 July 2025
That includes sparklers, which may look more innocent but can get up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Attendees rode in support of and alongside community member Eva Zamora, who is a shining example of how to live your best life with Parkinson’s disease and takes cycle classes at EōS regularly, a news release stated.
—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Apr. 2025
Her next shining moment comes when two young sisters enter the hospital.
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