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
Dutch weather woes As snow fell across the Netherlands, Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport reported that some 400 flights were grounded as crews worked to clear runways and de-ice planes waiting to depart.—Mike Corder, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026 Supervised by you, just to be clear.—Eddie Small, New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
For one, their weekend in Lake Como was a rainy one, and though the skies cleared for the vows themselves, the reception had to be moved inside a glass marquee.—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026 The rural highway was closed in both directions while the crash was investigated and the wreckage cleared.—Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2026
Adverb
Leclerc had moved to the more durable mediums and was able to pull clear after the initial gains made by his rival.—Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 Scalp-targeting ingredients also clear buildup that blocks moisture retention and weighs hair down.—Annie Blackman, Allure, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clear
The proximity to Lincoln Center was an obvious draw for musicians, and renters included an avant-garde composer on the sixth floor, a bassist on the fourth, and an opera teacher on the ground level.
—
Will Ellis,
Curbed,
6 Jan. 2026
After successfully training rookie Jackson West, Angela sets her sights on becoming a detective while trying to ignore her obvious chemistry with defense attorney Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore).
—
Tanya Melendez,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Jan. 2026
This is partly due to personal preference, but leaving plants standing through winter also helps certain plants grow better and even provides perks to local wildlife.
—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
Forever Fleece joggers, with certain styles on sale for as low as $45.
No conclusive plan has been formed to either engage in talks with another professional sports team or repurpose the current site of Arrowhead Stadium – though Lucas and LeVota, respectively, said the city and county could explore both in the next five years.
—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
23 Dec. 2025
While there is no conclusive evidence indicating a best time to drink aloe vera gel for digestive health, consuming it at specific times may support different health goals.
Through a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, visitors get an unobstructed view into a real spacecraft clean room, where lander models like Peregrine and Griffin (which will one day land on the moon) took shape.
Demonstrators argued that taxpayer money should not be used to harm or kill innocent people and rejected claims that the killing of Good was an act of self-defense.
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