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.
The rain will start to clear out Sunday evening as the front moves through and begins to usher in drier, but cooler temperatures for next week. Bill Kelly, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 By Easter Sunday, April 5, most of the rain will clear out with low chances hanging around for Central Texas. Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026 When Pahlavi left the stage to a standing ovation, half the room cleared out. Moriah Thomas, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026 How gyms are adapting Gyms are clearing out some of their cardio equipment to make way for more weight racks, according to Petrzela. Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 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 4 Apr. 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