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\ i-ˈrās 
, British -ˈrāz \
, British -ˈrāz \erased; erasing
Definition of erase
1a : to rub or scrape out (something, such as written, painted, or engraved letters)
erase an error
b : to remove written or drawn marks from
erase a blackboard
c : to remove (recorded matter) from a magnetic medium also : to remove recorded matter from erase a videotape
d : to delete from computer storage
erase a file
2a : to remove from existence or memory as if by erasing
b : to nullify the effect or force of
: to yield to erasure
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Other Words from erase
erasability \ i-ˌrā-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē \ noun
\ nounerasable \ i-ˈrā-sə-bəl \ adjective
\ adjectiveSynonyms for erase
Synonyms
- abolish,
- annihilate,
- black out,
- blot out,
- cancel,
- clean (up),
- efface,
- eradicate,
- expunge,
- exterminate,
- extirpate,
- liquidate,
- obliterate,
- root (out),
- rub out,
- snuff (out),
- stamp (out),
- sweep (away),
- wipe out
Examples of erase in a Sentence
The recording can be erased and the tape used again.
Several important files were accidentally erased.
You can erase the tape and use it again.
She erased the wrong answer from her paper and filled in the correct one.
I erased the chalk marks from the blackboard.
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Recent Examples on the Web But the Colts have to find a way to bounce back after coughing up their golden opportunity to erase the stumbles that put them in this position.
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Joel A. Erickson, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: After missing out on chance against Texans, Colts' backs are against the wall," 22 Nov. 2019 Even the current five-game losing streak — four of them blowouts (including against Michigan) — are not enough to erase what Dantonio did in re-establishing MSU as a football brand throughout the 2010s.
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Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press, "Why Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio's future remains fluid," 20 Nov. 2019 The first win of the season, in Week 2 against the Jets, was underwhelming, and did little to erase issues raised in the season-opening loss to the Titans.
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Scott Patsko, cleveland, "Browns Winners and Losers: Unlikely hero, unlikely villain and rare air for Baker Mayfield," 15 Nov. 2019 But Trump petitioned the full court to erase that ruling and reconsider the case.
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BostonGlobe.com, "WASHINGTON — A full federal appeals court on Wednesday let stand an earlier ruling that President Donald Trump’s accounting firm must turn over eight years of his financial records to Congress, bringing the case to the threshold of a likely Supreme Court battle.," 14 Nov. 2019 One is that ultras in the opposition try to erase the good things Mr Morales stood for as well as the bad.
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The Economist, "The end of Evo Morales Was there a coup in Bolivia?," 14 Nov. 2019 Mayor Kapszukiewicz is trying to erase these kinds of fears.
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Tony Briscoe, chicagotribune.com, "How algae blooms and dead zones form in Lake Erie," 14 Nov. 2019 In the haste to erase the influence of the East, the West tears down the barrier along with buildings and monuments that signified the regime. The wall becomes a ghost, haunting only memory.
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Tessa Love, Longreads, "California Burning," 8 Nov. 2019 Through the 20th century, these harsh efforts at assimilation began to erase thousands of generations of Indigenous traditions, wisdom and ceremonies.
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New York Times, "Sean Sherman’s 10 Essential Native American Recipes," 7 Nov. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'erase.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for erase
erase
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of erase
: to remove (something that has been recorded) from a tape (such as a videotape or audiotape) or a computer disk also : to remove recorded material from (a tape or disk)
: to remove (something written) by rubbing or scraping so that it can no longer be seen
: to remove something written from (a surface)
See the full definition for erase in the English Language Learners Dictionary
erase
verb\ i-ˈrās \
\erased; erasing
Kids Definition of erase
1 : to cause to disappear by rubbing or scraping
erase a chalk mark
2 : to remove marks from
erase a chalkboard
3 : to remove recorded matter from
erase a CD
erase
transitive verberased; erasing
Legal Definition of erase
: to seal and protect (criminal records) from disclosure
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Time Traveler for erase
The first known use of erase was in 1605
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