clear-cut
1 of 3adjective
ˈklir-ˈkət 
1
: sharply outlined : distinct
2
: free from ambiguity or uncertainty : unambiguous
a clear-cut decision
clear-cut
2 of 3noun
ˈklir-ˌkət
: an area of forest in which all the trees have been cut down
But the logging has been concentrated in the high-volume old-growth forest, and clear-cuts are spread over almost every one of the region's watersheds.
Catherine Caufield
Catherine Caufield also : clear-cutting
clear-cut
3 of 3verb
ˈklir-ˌkət
clear-cut; clear-cutting
transitive verb
: to cut down all the trees in (an area of forest)
He says there has been a massive deforestation as the Chinese have clear-cut millions of acres of Tibetan Forests to sell lumber on the export market … Daniel Goleman
Daniel Goleman… native rain forest experts who harvest plants for traditional healers, make from two to 10 times per hectare the income of a farmer who clear-cuts the forest for planting crops. Cathy Sears and Robert Neuwirth
Cathy Sears and Robert Neuwirth
Synonyms
Adjective
- apparent
- bald
- bald-faced
- barefaced
- bright-line
- broad
- clear
- crystal clear
- decided
- distinct
- evident
- lucid
- luculent
- luminous
- manifest
- nonambiguous
- obvious
- open-and-shut
- palpable
- patent
- pellucid
- perspicuous
- plain
- ringing
- straightforward
- transparent
- unambiguous
- unambivalent
- unequivocal
- unmistakable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
First Known Use
Adjective
1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
circa 1958, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1914, in the meaning defined above
clear-cut
adjective
1
as in obvious
not subject to misinterpretation or more than one interpretation a clear-cut case of plagiarism that resulted in her immediate dismissal Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- obvious
- clear
- straightforward
- apparent
- unmistakable
- evident
- distinct
- unambiguous
- unequivocal
- broad
- simple
- plain
- visible
- lucid
- transparent
- perspicuous
- manifest
- luminous
- patent
- open-and-shut
- crystal clear
- palpable
- decided
- unambivalent
- comprehensible
- explicit
- understandable
- ringing
- pellucid
- barefaced
- noticeable
- bald
- tangible
- bright-line
- intelligible
- bald-faced
- nonambiguous
- recognizable
- luculent
- discernible
- uncomplicated
- tidy
- graspable
- knowable
- appreciable
- fathomable
- sensible
- comprehendible
- digestible
- cognizable
- overt
- self-explanatory
- perceptible
- observable
- self-evident
- well-defined
- clean-cut
- undisguised
- discernable
- trenchant
- readable
- decipherable
- legible
- clean
- cognoscible
- black-and-white
- fair
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ambiguous
- unclear
- obscure
- equivocal
- indistinct
- mysterious
- dark
- cryptic
- enigmatic
- clouded
- vague
- incomprehensible
- unfathomable
- subtle
- unintelligible
- indecipherable
- unknowable
- unapparent
- nebulous
- nonobvious
- imperceptible
- enigmatical
- unclarified
- indeterminate
- gray
- hazy
- imprecise
- slippery
- murky
- indefinite
- sketchy
- grey
- impalpable
- obfuscated
- inappreciable
- indiscernible
- noncommittal
- insensible
- cloudy
- gauzy
- misty
- unreadable
- illegible
- undecipherable
2
as in explicit
so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning clear-cut instructions that even an idiot should be able to follow Synonyms & Similar Words
- explicit
- definite
- definitive
- unambiguous
- specific
- unequivocal
- unmistakable
- express
- comprehensive
- clear
- simple
- literal
- complete
- univocal
- precise
- comprehensible
- stated
- full
- distinct
- specified
- categorical
- straightforward
- well-defined
- declared
- understandable
- exhaustive
- avowed
- lucid
- certain
- plain
- direct
- categoric
- intelligible
- exact
- sure
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ambiguous
- unclear
- implicit
- implied
- obscure
- inferred
- dark
- vague
- cryptic
- enigmatic
- imprecise
- incorrect
- equivocal
- circuitous
- inaccurate
- inexact
- enigmatical
- indefinite
- incomprehensible
- inexplicit
- unintelligible
- unspecific