clean hands

NOUN

clean slate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

fresh start

WEAK

clean sweep clear conscience new beginning square one tabula rasa

NOUN

innocence

Synonyms

STRONG

chastity guiltlessness immaculateness impeccability incorruptibility incorruption inculpability probity purity righteousness sinlessness uprightness virtue

WEAK

clear conscience stainlessness

Antonyms

WEAK

badness blame corruption evil experience guilt impurity knowledge sin treacherousness wildness

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.

And one of the fundamental rules of equity, as Sotomayor explains, is that you have to seek it with clean hands.

From Slate • Jun. 24, 2025

Officials say it can be used only to clean hands if it’s completely unheated.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 31, 2025

Use soap and warm water for 20 seconds or hand sanitiser to clean hands regularly.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2024

The rough hands of a slave, the clean hands of a prince, the wrinkled hands of an old man who has seen so much.

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2023

Mama wiped her clean hands over and over again on her apron.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton