clear out

verb

cleared out; clearing out; clears out

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 Particularly in California, ranchers used fire to clear out healthy areas for grazing for livestock. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Nov. 2023 But by Sunday, the winds across the Southland will switch into an offshore flow as a high-pressure system moves in, Sweet said, bringing warmer temperatures and clearing out the clouds. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023 The Mario Badescu Skincare Drying Lotion is a skincare staple and has a concentrated mix of salicylic acid, sulfur, and zinc oxide that works to help spot-treat pimples and clear out pores. Erika Reals, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023 The featured vitamin C serum helps reduce oiliness and clear out pores, while the exfoliating serum limits sebum production and prevents future breakouts. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2023 Clouds should thicken a bit tonight but should clear out before dawn. A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 15 Nov. 2023 The fold-out design will look great sitting out on your coffee bar, and will make even the most hectic mornings of last-minute holiday shopping and scrambling to clear out your inbox feel special. Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 13 Nov. 2023 Efforts are also underway to clear out the surrounding invasive pines, which cover nearly 4.5 million acres of New Zealand. Rina Diane Caballar, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2023 Horowitz said the troops seemed to be working methodically to clear out Hamas tunnels on the perimeter of the city before moving deeper. Dov Lieber, WSJ, 7 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clear out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near clear out

Cite this Entry

“Clear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear%20out. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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