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Definitions

clothesline

[klohz-lahyn, klohthz-] / ˈkloʊzˌlaɪn, ˈkloʊðz- /
NOUN
fiction
Synonyms
STRONGEST
best seller book drama fable fantasy imagination legend myth narrative novel tale yarn
STRONG
anecdote concoction crock fabrication falsehood fancy fib hooey improvisation invention lie misrepresentation potboiler prevarication romance smoke untruth whopper
WEAK
cliff-hanger figment of imagination fish story storytelling tall story terminological inexactitude work of imagination
Antonyms
STRONGEST
nonfiction reality truth
NOUN
gossip
Synonyms
STRONGEST
buzz chatter chitchat conversation hearsay news scandal slander tale
STRONG
account babble blather blether calumny chronicle cry defamation earful grapevine injury meddling prate prattle report scuttlebutt story talk wire
WEAK
back-fence talk dirty laundry dirty linen dirty wash idle talk malicious talk small talk whispering campaign
Antonyms
STRONG
quiet silence
WEAK
fact
NOUN
hearsay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
gossip
STRONG
comment cry grapevine leak noise report rumble rumor scandal scuttlebutt talk
WEAK
mere talk talk of the town word of mouth
Antonyms
STRONG
quiet silence
WEAK
evidence proof reality testimony truth
NOUN
line drive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
liner
WEAK
line shot rope
NOUN
tale
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fiction rumor yarn
STRONG
canard chestnut defamation detraction exaggeration fabrication falsehood falsity fib lie misrepresentation prevarication rigmarole scandal slander spiel untruth
WEAK
cock-and-bull story tall story untruism
Antonyms
STRONGEST
truth
STRONG
honesty praise
WEAK
nonfiction
NOUN
talebearing
Synonyms
WEAK
account babble back-fence talk blather blether buzz calumny chatter chitchat chronicle conversation cry defamation dirty laundry dirty linen dirty wash earful gossipry grapevine hearsay idle talk injury malicious talk meddling news prate prattle report rumor scandal scuttlebutt slander small talk story tale talk tattle tittle-tattle whispering campaign wire word

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.

After waters rapidly rose in West Sumatra and submerged his home, Meri Osman said he was "swept away by the current" and clung onto a clothesline until he was rescued.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2025

I use a clothesline on the balcony and a laundromat nearby in case I have an urgent need to dry things.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

If time was like a clothesline, I wanted to do it for as long as ever.

From Salon • May 22, 2024

I use a clothesline made of four shoelaces and aim my three fans to dry everything.

From Slate • Dec. 14, 2023

She got sick of him using the patch under her clothesline.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.