clear up
phrasal verb
cleared up; clearing up; clears up
1
of weather or the sky
: to change so that there are no clouds, fog, etc.
The sky cleared up after the rain.
It's cloudy now, but it's clearing up gradually.
2
of the skin
: to become free of marks or spots
My skin cleared up when I started using the cream.
3
: to go away
My symptoms cleared up once I started using the cream.
4
British
: to make an area clean or tidy
Let's clear up before we leave.
Examples of clear up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Two years later in March 2018, Spelling cleared up reports of financial trouble after credit card company American Express sued her in January for failing to pay her outstanding balance of $37,981.97 since summer 2015.
—
Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
Many will need to file amended 2023 returns to clear up the chaos.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 16 May 2024
On April 1, the CDC announced this year's first case: a farmworker with an inflamed eye that cleared up within days.
—Amy Maxmen | Kff Health News, ABC News, 24 May 2024
Scientists often use spectroscopy as an initial screen of species, then clear up any uncertainties with DNA testing.
—Andrew Chapman, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024
The doting grandmother cleared up the confusion with a post on Facebook, including photos of the girls enjoying their time swimming at her pool.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024
These bacteria-busting products should also, in turn, clear up odors caused by bacteria.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2024
This setup not only liberates the USB port but also clears up the clutter that can distract drivers.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 16 May 2024
The treatment approach could also depend on how quickly someone wants their acne to clear up.
—Colleen Murphy, Health, 16 May 2024
Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
Many will need to file amended 2023 returns to clear up the chaos.
—Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 16 May 2024
On April 1, the CDC announced this year's first case: a farmworker with an inflamed eye that cleared up within days.
—Amy Maxmen | Kff Health News, ABC News, 24 May 2024
Scientists often use spectroscopy as an initial screen of species, then clear up any uncertainties with DNA testing.
—Andrew Chapman, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024
The doting grandmother cleared up the confusion with a post on Facebook, including photos of the girls enjoying their time swimming at her pool.
—Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 23 May 2024
These bacteria-busting products should also, in turn, clear up odors caused by bacteria.
—Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2024
This setup not only liberates the USB port but also clears up the clutter that can distract drivers.
—Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 16 May 2024
The treatment approach could also depend on how quickly someone wants their acne to clear up.
—Colleen Murphy, Health, 16 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clear up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near clear up
Cite this Entry
“Clear up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear%20up. Accessed 11 Jun. 2024.
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