clear out

verb

cleared out; clearing out; clears out
Synonyms of clear outnext

transitive verb

: to drive out or away usually forcibly

Examples of clear out in a Sentence

police used tear gas to clear out the demonstrators everyone cleared out as soon as the fire alarm began sounding
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That may be a sign Google is clearing out its experimental tools ahead of the next event. James Peckham, PC Magazine, 7 May 2026 The group has cleared out nearly 4 million pounds of trash over the last three years. Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 6 May 2026 During sleep, adenosine levels drop as the brain restores its energy balance and clears out metabolic byproducts. Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026 Even if clearing out that mental block was an act of Herculean plumbing. Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 5 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for clear out

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of clear out was in 1613

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear%20out. Accessed 10 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

clear out

verb
1
: to go or run away often suddenly or secretly
a horse broke loose and cleared out
cleared out without paying me back
2
: to drive out or away usually with force
police cleared out the demonstrators
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster