Synonyms for clear
- adjective
- verb
- adverb
Most common
unambiguous straight-forward lucid unequivocal obvious vivid clean transparent
Synonyms by meaning
Adjective
1. Unambiguous — free of ambiguity or doubt; easily understood
unambiguous, straight-forward, lucid, unequivocal, explicit, comprehensible, manifest, plain, unmistakable, intelligible, simple, understandable, tangible, definite, direct, straight, indisputable, certain, downright, express dated
2. Obvious — distinct, sharp, well-marked
obvious, vivid, distinct, apparent, conspicuous, bright, evident, sharp, visible, discerning, fine, keen
3. Clean — free of guilt, or suspicion
clean, legible, pure, pyore US, innocent, fair, clean-handed UK, perfect, immaculate, white, guiltless, not guilty, empty dated
4. Transparent — transparent in colour
transparent, limpid, crystalline, crystal, translucent, see-through, liquid, beautiful, serene dated
Other
clear-cut, unobstructed, unclouded, cloudless, crystal-clear, light, open, well-defined, audible, clarified, broad, clean-cut
Verb
1. Free — to remove from suspicion, especially of having committed a crime
free, acquit, absolve, excuse, exonerate, set free, vindicate
Adverb
Definitions
- adj. 1
Transparent in colour.
- adj. 2
Free of ambiguity or doubt; easily understood.
She made it clear that she dislike me.
- v. 1
To remove from suspicion, especially of having committed a crime.
The court cleared the man of murder.
- adv. 1
All the way; entirely.
I threw it clear across the river to the other side.
Related words
- Word family
- clearance clear-cut clearing
- Phrases
- clear up crystal-clear clear out clear off clear as crystal clear as day clear the table clear as mud
Forms
- Past participle
- clear'd
e.g. clear'd → freed, acquitted, absolved, excused…
From weakest to strongest
- puzzling
- ambiguous
- confusing
- complicated
- clear
- explicit
- understandable
- unambiguous
- unequivocal
- comprehensible
From the opposite of clear, on the left, to its strongest synonyms, on the right.
Choose the right word
A substance is said to be clear that offers no impediment to vision--is not dim, dark, or obscure. That is plain, in the sense here considered, which is, as it were, level to the thought, so that one goes straight on without difficulty or hindrance; as, plain language; a plain statement; a clear explanation.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- lucid Yanni was lucid and aware of what he was doing.
- unequivocal Their deep love for each other was unequivocal.
- unambiguous I admit this isn't an unambiguous answer.
- obvious It seems fairly obvious that Tom isn't happy here.
- vivid The author's language is vivid, supple and nuanced.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| clear | steady | |
| lucid | steady | |
| unequivocal | steady | |
| unambiguous | steady | |
| obvious | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 3 letters
- net1
- 4 letters
- make1, take1, free1, open2, fine1, fair1, pure1, keen1
- 5 letters
- white1, light1, clean1, empty2, sharp1, broad1, plain1, solve1, vivid2, lucid2, pyore
- 6 letters
- simple2, direct2, bright1, excuse2, liquid2, serene2, acquit2, limpid
- 7 letters
- certain2, perfect2, explain2, clearly2, realize3, express2, obvious3, visible3, crystal2, realise3, evident3, clarify3, audible3, legible3
- 8 letters
- straight1, innocent3, distinct2, apparent3, explicit3, definite3, manifest3, tangible3
- 9 letters
- beautiful3, clarified3, downright2, elucidate4, exonerate4, cloudless2, vindicate3, guiltless2, unclouded
- 10 letters
- immaculate4, discerning3
- 11 letters
- transparent3, conspicuous4, crystalline3, translucent3, unambiguous5, unequivocal5
- 12 letters
- unmistakable5, indisputable5, intelligible5, unobstructed4
- 14 letters
- understandable5, comprehensible5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (open2 = 2 syllables).