Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
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.

That was when my fellow AI Cleanup members said we needed something even stricter.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Cleanup was underway Wednesday in a wooded, remote area of Ventura County after about 420 gallons of crude oil inundated a waterway, officials said, and crews were working to beat the upcoming storm.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025

Here is another, from Harry Dunn, who has 256,000 followers on the platform and hosts a podcast called Cleanup on Aisle 45.

From Slate • Jun. 12, 2025

Cleanup goals for soil vary based on the naturally occurring levels of arsenic.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2025

Cleanup is a critical part of cooking, she always tells me.

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