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clear the way

idiom

1
: to make the area through which someone or something is trying to pass open and able to be used
She directed traffic to clear the way for the ambulance.
2
: to allow something to happen or develop
The truce would clear the way for further discussions between the two groups.

Examples of clear the way in a Sentence

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.
In the final stretch of the New York City mayoral campaign, Curtis Sliwa says he was offered $10 million by a group of unnamed billionaires to drop out of the race and clear the way for Andrew Cuomo—so great was their fear of a Zohran Mamdani victory. Richard Hall, Time, 16 Nov. 2025 Democrats are ready to clear the way to quickly pass a government funding bill that includes health care affordability. ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025 The plan would clear the way for new buildings to tower up to 700 feet over the historic downtown. Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 22 Oct. 2025 The existing five buildings that would be demolished to clear the way for the project total 422,600 square feet. George Avalos, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for clear the way

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Cite this Entry

“Clear the way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear%20the%20way. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

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