Definitions

cleanup

[kleen-uhp] / ˈklinˌʌp /

NOUN

consummation

Synonyms

STRONG

completion culmination end payoff perfection realization wrap

WEAK

doing it to a T mop-up to a finish wind-up wrap up

Antonyms

STRONG

beginning commencement imperfection opening start

WEAK

failure unfulfillment

NOUN

defense

Synonyms

STRONG

answer apologetics apologia apology argument cop-out exculpation excuse exoneration extenuation jive plea rationalization rejoinder reply response retort return story vindication whitewash

WEAK

apologizing excusing explaining fish story off-time song and dance

Antonyms

STRONG

charge indictment question request

WEAK

betrayal capitulation desertion flight surrender yielding

NOUN

excuse

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alibi apology justification pretext rationalization substitute trick

STRONG

cover defense disguise evasion expedient extenuation grounds jive makeshift mitigation plea regrets routine semblance shift song stall stopgap story subterfuge vindication whitewash

WEAK

come-off cop-out cover story coverup fish story song and dance why and wherefore

Antonyms

STRONG

permanent

NOUN

pay dirt

Synonyms

WEAK

accumulation benefit bottom line earnings gate goods gravy harvest killing net payoff proceeds receipts return revenue score split surplus take winnings

NOUN

pretext

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alibi come-off excuse guise ploy pretense ruse

STRONG

affectation appearance bluff cloak color coloring cover cover-up device face feint front mask masquerade plea routine semblance show simulation stall stratagem subterfuge veil

WEAK

cop-out cover story fig leaf red herring song and dance

Antonyms

STRONGEST

reality

STRONG

back rear truth

NOUN

profit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquisition benefit bottom line earnings goods harvest income interest output percentage proceeds product production receipt return revenue saving surplus turnout value yield

STRONG

accumulation advancement advantage aggrandizement augmentation avail emoluments gate gravy gross killing lucre markup net outturn receipts remuneration skim split take takings use velvet winnings

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bills debt disadvantage lack loss need payment resource want

NOUN

purge

Synonyms

STRONGEST

coup evacuation expulsion extermination liquidation suppression

STRONG

abolition catharsis clarification cleaning crushing disposal disposition ejection eradication excretion expurgation extirpation murder purification

WEAK

abstersion reign of terror witch hunt

Antonyms

STRONG

dirtying

WEAK

holding keeping maintenance

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The war may be nearing its end, but the cleanup in certain markets will continue.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

The agency apparently knew there had been an encampment in the tunnel, because Caltrans reported previously doing a cleanup there, McOsker said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the country's emergencies minister to fly to Tuapse urgently to oversee firefighting and cleanup efforts.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

And if cleanup is what’s stopping you: it doesn’t have to be a whole thing.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026

We’d been so proud of our division of labor, we forgot the most important cleanup task of all: Mrs. Kluck’s brand-new ice cream machine.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

cleanup

Example Sentences

Related Words