clear out

verb

cleared out; clearing out; clears out

intransitive verb

: depart

transitive verb

: to drive out or away usually forcibly

Synonyms of clear out

• disperse

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

At the café, several tables had cleared out, and Bo was alone in his corner. — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026

The haze is expected to hang around for parts of Saturday, but the good news is that rain should help clear out the smoke over much of the tri-state area. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026

Forecasters predicted that the poor air quality would continue into Saturday—though not at levels as bad as on Friday—and eventually clear out on Sunday and Monday. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 17 July 2026

Using an air purifier or setting your air conditioning on recirculate can also help recycle the air and clear out toxins, Erdal said. — Ashley Mowreader, NBC news, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for clear out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

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