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Definitions

wipe the slate clean

PHRASE
absolve
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acquit exempt exonerate forgive pardon relieve vindicate
STRONG
bleach clear discharge exculpate excuse free launder liberate loose release sanitize spare spring whitewash
WEAK
blink at go easy on let off let off easy let off the hook let up on lifeboat set free wink at wipe it off write off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accuse blame censure charge condemn convict damn punish sentence
STRONG
hold keep limit restrain
WEAK
bind impeach incriminate obligate
PHRASE
bury the hatchet
Synonyms
WEAK
accept apology bear no malice end a quarrel forget forgive hold out an olive branch kiss and make up let bygones be bygones make a peace offering make peace smoke the peace pipe
PHRASE
cancel
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abolish abort annul break off cut destroy eliminate kill remove repeal rescind revoke wipe out
STRONG
abrogate ax break countermand deface delete efface eradicate expunge obliterate off omit quash repudiate scrub sink smash squash torpedo total trash trim undo zap
WEAK
X out black out blot out cross out do away with do in finish off go back on one's word render invalid rub out scratch out stamp across strike out wash out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approve begin build continue create enact give birth keep ratify restore sanction start validate
STRONG
add aid allow assist bear construct establish fasten fix help institute lose mend permit strengthen support
WEAK
arrange imbalance tip uphold
PHRASE
exculpate
Synonyms
STRONG
absolve acquit amnesty clear condone discharge dismiss excuse exonerate explain free justify pardon rationalize release remit vindicate
WEAK
disculpate let off
Antonyms
STRONG
accuse blame censure charge condemn convict damn employ engage hire hold incarcerate incriminate keep maintain punish sentence
PHRASE
exonerate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolve acquit discharge dismiss exempt justify pardon vindicate
STRONG
disburden except exculpate free liberate release relieve sanitize whitewash
WEAK
let off let off hook
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame condemn convict damn employ engage hire hold keep punish sentence
STRONG
burden limit restrain
WEAK
accuse charge incarcerate incriminate
PHRASE
forgive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolve condone excuse forget
STRONG
acquit amnesty clear commute efface exculpate exempt exonerate extenuate overlook palliate pocket purge release relent remit reprieve respite spring
WEAK
accept apology allow for bear no malice bear with bury the hatchet dismiss from mind kiss and make up laugh off let bygones be bygones let it go let off let off easy let pass let up on make allowance think no more of turn other cheek wink at
Antonyms
STRONGEST
condemn
STRONG
accuse blame hold increase keep maintain sentence
WEAK
censure charge punish
PHRASE
go back to square one
Synonyms
WEAK
begin again go back to the drawing board make a fresh start make a new beginning start from scratch
PHRASE
overlook
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disregard ignore
STRONG
condone excuse forgive handle stomach take whitewash
WEAK
bear with blink at go along with grin and bear it let bygones be bygones let go let pass live with look the other way pay no mind play past put up with roll with punches stand for swim with the tide tune out turn blind eye to wink at
Antonyms
STRONGEST
note pay attention regard
STRONG
censure refuse reject
WEAK
attend deny follow heed honor look at notice prevent respect serve veto
PHRASE
pardon
Synonyms
STRONGEST
absolve acquit discharge excuse exonerate tolerate
STRONG
accept amnesty clear condone exculpate free justify liberate lifeboat overlook release remit reprieve rescue spring
WEAK
blink at bury the hatchet give absolution grant amnesty let off let off easy suspend charges wink at write off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blame charge condemn convict hold incriminate sentence
STRONG
deny keep limit prevent refuse restrain
WEAK
chastise damn ostracize penalize punish
PHRASE
release
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clear deliver discharge drop free issue leak surrender
STRONG
absolve acquit commute disengage dispense emancipate exculpate excuse exempt exonerate extricate liberate loose loosen manumit spring unbind unchain undo unfasten unleash unloose untie vent yield
WEAK
bail out cast loose give off give out go easy on let off let off steam let up on open up set at large set free set loose take out turn loose turn out unfetter unshackle
Antonyms
STRONGEST
confine detain hold imprison keep limit restrain retain suppress
STRONG
bind blame charge condemn convict fasten incarcerate incriminate prevent sentence
WEAK
collect gather maintain

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.

It is neither doom nor boom, but a new year makes an opportunity to wipe the slate clean on policy, on a sense of certainty, and perhaps above all, the vibes in the economy.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2026

I didn’t start out as strong but I’m getting better, so I think we might need to wipe the slate clean and start over.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 4, 2024

Most borrowers who fell into default before March 2020 have a one-time chance to wipe the slate clean under the administration’s Fresh Start program.

From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2023

Wyden said Wednesday that Credit Suisse's "pending acquisition does not wipe the slate clean," urging the U.S.

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2023

I believe we forgot everything except, of course, personal fear, and it seemed to wipe the slate clean and give us a fresh start.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

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