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.
Second, the Red Sox could streamline their roster and finally clear out the logjams that have gummed up the works for the past two years. Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026 Then Sunday, the weather service is tracking the potential for rain chances and storms to clear out of the area. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 May 2026 Over the weekend, Wang said, storms will gradually move into the south-central mountain ranges before they’re expected to clear out entirely. Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 27 May 2026 The day before the procedure, people have to switch to a liquid diet and take laxatives to clear out their colons so the camera can get a clear view. Erika Edwards, NBC news, 27 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 1 Jun. 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
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