clear out

verb

Definition of clear outnext
1
as in to disperse
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart police used tear gas to clear out the demonstrators

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2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation everyone cleared out as soon as the fire alarm began sounding

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3
as in to depart
to leave a place often for another the lunch crowd usually clears out by 2:00 p.m. at the latest

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of clear out Knowing What's In The Garage Running a data inventory can be an effective way to clear out your digital attic. — Jodi Daniels, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 Residents have begun clearing out their homes and dragging debris to the end of their driveways as Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office personnel remain in the area, assessing the damage. — Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 17 Aug. 2026 Setting a digital reminder one week prior to these dates gives you a crucial head start to book a babysitter before the neighborhood high schoolers are completely cleared out! — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 16 Aug. 2026 Tight end One of the encouraging developments was the sturdy blocking of third round pick Will Kacmarek, who cleared out space on Achane’s touchdown. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clear out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear out
  1. disperse
  2. escape
  3. depart
  4. flee
  5. move
  6. get out
  7. exit
  8. fly
Verb
  • Running battles erupted throughout downtown as security forces used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds, while protesters responded with barricades, stones, and slingshots.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Such artifacts were increasingly more dispersed in later burial stages.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of disperse
Verb
  • The bear scratched his arm, and the victim tripped and injured his foot while trying to escape, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
    — Jon Haworth, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Roy can’t escape one difficult question, however, concerning his plans for what’s next after his contract’s up at the end of the season.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of escape
Verb
  • That was because the player being replaced — match-winner Will Lankshear — took more than 10 seconds to depart while applauding the supporters.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • President Min Aung Hlaing departed from the capital Naypyitaw on Monday morning accompanied by members of his cabinet.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of depart
Verb
  • After Bridegan was shot in the street, prosecutors have said, one person fled on foot and another fled in a vehicle, WJXT reported.
    — Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Luwi, who moved into Gajdusek’s house after Koiye fled it, spent years keeping his distance from his uncle, so as not to attract suspicion, too.
    — Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of flee
Verb
  • The animation is truly ugly, the characters moving at the framerate of a PowerPoint and looking less like the animals they’re supposed to be than weird hybrid troll creatures.
    — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of dealing with rental cars or busy trailheads, travelers just want to step out their front door, lace up and move.
    — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of move
Verb
  • The tourists who are tearing up our building are the ones who should get out.
    — Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026
  • If on or near Lake Gaston, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of get out
Verb
  • Both Kpler and Windward showed around five ships – total – exited the Strait of Hormuz on the day Wright said 20 million barrels flowed out of the Arab gulf region.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 17 Aug. 2026
  • At least one ship entered using the Iranian route, and a small tanker laden with Iranian fuel oil exited, data showed.
    — August 17, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of exit
Verb
  • So a new grant, under the early-stage NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program, aims to create small, flying vehicles that could explore those caves.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • When not searching for glass floats, enjoy other pastimes like tide pooling, beachcombing, and kite flying (home to two kite festivals, Lincoln City calls itself the Kite Capital of the World).
    — Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of fly

Browse Nearby Words

clear off
clear out
clears
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Cite this Entry

“Clear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear%20out. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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