as in to erase
to destroy all traces of
time and the weather have expunged any evidence that a thriving community once existed here
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expunge
According to Jefferson County Circuit Court records, Soto-Pantoja is part of a pretrial diversion program that allows for a criminal case to be expunged after five years of law-abiding behavior, including paying fees and passing drug tests, Mascagni said.
—
Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
The attempt to expunge Andrew and his sins from the Royal Family is interesting insofar as it is doomed.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
Decriminalize possession, expunge non-violent records, and allow responsible agricultural and industrial use while requiring permits for commercial sales.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
In 2021, Colvin successfully petitioned to have her juvenile arrest record expunged.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expunge
Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
The attempt to expunge Andrew and his sins from the Royal Family is interesting insofar as it is doomed.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
Decriminalize possession, expunge non-violent records, and allow responsible agricultural and industrial use while requiring permits for commercial sales.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
In 2021, Colvin successfully petitioned to have her juvenile arrest record expunged.
—The Week Uk, TheWeek, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expunge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expunge
Verb
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The Red Raiders erase a 21-point deficit.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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When young mice that were housed with older mice were given antibiotics, however, the effect was erased.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But screening for latent TB — with treatment that can last up to nine months to fully eradicate the bacteria — is an expensive endeavor with a low payoff, considering that only 5% of people with latent TB will develop into an active case.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
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If the name isn't enough to deter you, Langelo warns that bishop's weed (Aegopodium podagraria) is an extremely aggressive grower that is challenging to eradicate.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Front and rear wings are simplified, and the sport’s controversial Drag Reduction System (DRS)—long considered to create artificial overtaking—has been abolished.—
Brad Spurgeon,
Robb Report,
9 Mar. 2026
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In Steven Spielberg's historical drama, which focuses on Lincoln's final months working to abolish slavery via the 13th Amendment, Day-Lewis uncannily looks the part and also fills it with grace and gravitas.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Weeks later, his father was killed in a fire that destroyed the home Hamlin purchased to thank his parents for getting him into NASCAR.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
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Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said its systems intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over the capital, Riyadh, and the kingdom’s eastern region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expunge. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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