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.
Much of this, south of the Litani, had been cleared out. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 9 Apr. 2026 LaBonia remains in his position, though his office at WLRN’s studio in Miami was cleared out last month, prompting speculation about his future. Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026 Caltrans says crews are clearing out 27 acres for a safety improvement project, but not all the neighbors are on board. Kayla Moeller, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026 Walk the perimeter and clear out anything that doesn’t belong. Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Clear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear%20out. Accessed 11 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
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