as in withdrawal
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in dispersing
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
police used tear gas to clear out the demonstrators
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in escaping
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
everyone cleared out as soon as the fire alarm began sounding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in departing
to leave a place often for another
the lunch crowd usually clears out by 2:00 p.m. at the latest
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 clearing out
Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
Harrison Mackinlay had already spent 45 minutes clearing out in South Boston and had more work to do in order to get his car out.
—Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
The agency’s presence put the Charlotte immigrant community on edge — clearing out vibrant areas like Central Avenue in East Charlotte, and prompting businesses to close and students to stay home from school.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 22 Feb. 2026
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning that will go into effect Sunday afternoon and last until Tuesday morning, as meteorologists expect this storm to be more impactful than January’s, from which the region is still clearing out.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Before a school day starts, the guard will be tasked with clearing out the lot to prevent it from blocking students getting into school.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Feb. 2026
It is expected to be cloudy in the morning before gradually clearing out.
—Suryatapa Chakraborty, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
When clearing out your glassware collection, keep coordinating sets together and donate the random standoffs.
—Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
Although a deep decluttering session or clearing out isn't feasible every day, small daily steps can help ensure items are organized.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Some are absolute musts, like clearing out any asbestos and making sure the plumbing is up to current standard.
—Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
Harrison Mackinlay had already spent 45 minutes clearing out in South Boston and had more work to do in order to get his car out.
—Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
The agency’s presence put the Charlotte immigrant community on edge — clearing out vibrant areas like Central Avenue in East Charlotte, and prompting businesses to close and students to stay home from school.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 22 Feb. 2026
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning that will go into effect Sunday afternoon and last until Tuesday morning, as meteorologists expect this storm to be more impactful than January’s, from which the region is still clearing out.
—Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 21 Feb. 2026
Before a school day starts, the guard will be tasked with clearing out the lot to prevent it from blocking students getting into school.
—Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 Feb. 2026
It is expected to be cloudy in the morning before gradually clearing out.
—Suryatapa Chakraborty, Dallas Morning News, 15 Feb. 2026
When clearing out your glassware collection, keep coordinating sets together and donate the random standoffs.
—Kaylei Fear, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Feb. 2026
Although a deep decluttering session or clearing out isn't feasible every day, small daily steps can help ensure items are organized.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clearing out
Noun
-
For parents, Robb recommended watching for warning signs, including social withdrawal, declining grades or a growing preference for AI over human interaction.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The device, which is cleared by the FDA for withdrawal mitigation from opioid use disorder, works by abating severe symptoms such as stomach aches, back aches, sweats, and the inability to keep food down, according to George Rizk, an executive board member with NET Recovery.—
Bri Buckley,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Instead of dispersing, the crowd pelted officers with snowballs, ice and, according to police union reports, rocks.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Meat becomes tender through gentle steaming, vegetables soften while holding their shape, and spices integrate directly into the ingredients rather than dispersing into a broth.—
Bridget Shirvell,
Martha Stewart,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
MacTaggart is part of a throng of young people who are turning to analog hobbies and activities as a means of escaping technology and reconnecting with childlike creativity and exploration.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Though mostly ground-dwelling and preferring to run, pheasants can perch to avoid predators and reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour when escaping danger.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chenal joins his fellow departing Chiefs from the 2022 draft class, all of whom were part of the back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams in 2022 and 2023.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Lock your home before departing.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Illinois represents roughly one-quarter, or five of 21, of all House Democratic retirements and 10% of all House retirements in the country, according to an Associated Press analysis.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Her retirement adds to the growing list of turnover in key positions appointed by the council, which hires the city manager, secretary, auditor, inspector general and municipal judges.—
Everton Bailey Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Yamaha joins a wave of major corporations fleeing California, including Tesla, In-N-Out and Chevron, citing costly regulations and unfavorable business conditions.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Despite concerns about wealthy New Yorkers fleeing our city, the real exodus is happening in the middle.—
Gary LaBarbera,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Friday, Azueta said students were exiting out the back of the studio, where they are often picked up by parents.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Even with Reiver Sanmartin exiting the tournament due to injury, the Giants have seven players on their 40-man roster competing in the WBC.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The original measure required the next state building code to allow a single stairway as a means of egress in small residential buildings and passed as part of the 2024 bond package.—
CT Mirror,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
-
City Manager Seimone Jurjis said next steps include doing more design work with the consultant to explore what a building at the park could look like and what other considerations, such as environmental factors, height and ingress and egress, could play a role.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clearing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clearing%20out. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
