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.
By Friday afternoon the snowfall will clear out and colder temperatures -- mostly in the low 30s -- will remain. CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026 His wife’s body was discovered by a man who was working on the property to clear out junk ahead of the property’s sale. Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 8 Jan. 2026 Following the collapse, Tricolor cleared out all its locations across multiple states. Samuel O'Neal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Jan. 2026 The popular trail clears out in the winter, providing a quiet refuge in Tennessee's Cumberland Mountains for those who hike there. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 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 Jan. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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