Clear near to meanders in river (9)
I believe the answer is:
exonerate
'clear' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'near to meanders in river' is the wordplay.
'meanders' is an anagram indicator.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'river' becomes 'exe' (I've seen this before**).
'near'+'to'='nearto'
'nearto' with letters rearranged gives 'onerat'.
'onerat' put within 'exe' is 'EXONERATE'.
(Other definitions for exonerate that I've seen before include "Pronounce not guilty of a crime" , "Free from obligation, blame" , "Excuse" , "let off the hook" , "Declare to be blameless (9)" .)