1
as in eradicating
to destroy all traces of
blotted out all evidence of tampering with the explosive device
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in concealing
to keep secret or shut off from view
bushes blotted out the shed from our view
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of blotting out
For a few minutes at each end of that window, the moon’s edge will appear to align with that of the sun, blotting out the star’s fierce light and revealing the wispy corona off to one side.
—
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 6 Apr. 2026
From up in the space shuttle, in 1983, astronaut Sally Ride could see the pollution blotting out her Los Angeles hometown.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Is the army coming, blotting out the sun?
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
And Hanceville’s fate is as murky as the fog that pours in at night, blotting out buildings and blackening the road ahead.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
But two shootings of US citizens and scenes of unrest in Minnesota are blotting out any hope of that.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Unfortunately, the 2025 Perseids happened to coincide with the appearance of a waxing gibbous moon, which bleached the sky with moonlight, blotting out all but the brightest members of the ancient meteor shower.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 6 Apr. 2026
From up in the space shuttle, in 1983, astronaut Sally Ride could see the pollution blotting out her Los Angeles hometown.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Is the army coming, blotting out the sun?
—Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 23 Mar. 2026
And Hanceville’s fate is as murky as the fog that pours in at night, blotting out buildings and blackening the road ahead.
—Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026
But two shootings of US citizens and scenes of unrest in Minnesota are blotting out any hope of that.
—Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Unfortunately, the 2025 Perseids happened to coincide with the appearance of a waxing gibbous moon, which bleached the sky with moonlight, blotting out all but the brightest members of the ancient meteor shower.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blotting out
Verb
-
But roots can be deep and seeds can spread easily, making eradicating invasive plants difficult.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
-
This makes prediction markets the most useful and precise tool for eradicating exposing insider trading that has ever existed—a tool Congress should rely on heavily, not legislate out of existence.—
Nic Puckrin,
Fortune,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For those of us who aren’t able to tuck our bins into a garage, concealing them with a trellis, privacy hedge, or another creative fix can help maintain your curb appeal while also ensuring access doesn’t become a problem.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 May 2026
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The main level opens through a 10-foot custom entry door to a foyer with Pierre Frey fabric wall upholstery and dual hidden doors concealing a powder room and a walk-in coat closet.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Shea Theodore had a goal and an assist and Brayden McNabb scored a short-handed goal as the Golden Knights stormed to a 5-0 lead after two periods, silencing a sellout crowd in Orange County and erasing memories of their rough offensive outing in Game 2.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
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Several southern states have begun to capitalize on the Supreme Court ruling, including Tennessee, which approved a new voting map a day before the decision in Virginia, likely erasing the only blue district in the state.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Talley was found hiding under a porch and arrested for the second time that day.—
Michael Tobin,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
-
One of the United States’ largest fisheries is hiding in plain sight.—
Matthew Robertson,
The Conversation,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Mayor Mamdani’s glib campaign goal of abolishing the fares on buses for everyone makes a lot less sense than cutting bus and subway fares for the New Yorkers who actually need it most.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
8 May 2026
-
Trump has proposed eliminating Head Start and abolishing the Department of Education.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Ror all its strengths, Muskism’s account of the rise and influence of its protagonist is one squarely focused on ideology, obscuring the broader political and economic forces working behind the scenes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Apr. 2026
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Records provided to The Star about the Alpha Tau Omega case were heavily redacted, obscuring the specific allegations against fraternity members.—
Matthew Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Although specific town-by-town figures haven’t been released yet, it’s expected that New Britain could get $10 million or more, instantly wiping out more than half of the deficit that educators warned about.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
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Those errors — which had some tickets showing a lower fine than the $344 required by Florida law and others bearing the wrong ticket numbers — resulted in a Miami-Dade judge wiping out 5,400 violations last spring that drivers were fighting in court.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Jay Blackman Jay Blackman is an NBC News producer covering such areas as transportation, space, medical and consumer issues.—
Jay Blackman,
NBC news,
4 May 2026
-
Samantha Ketterer is a Houston Chronicle reporter covering higher education.—
Samantha Ketterer,
Houston Chronicle,
3 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Blotting out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blotting%20out. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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