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clearing out 1 of 2

noun

as in withdrawal

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clearing out

2 of 2

verb

present participle of clear out
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

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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 clearing out
Verb
Deciding when to downsize is highly personal and contingent on your unique circumstances, and there is no right time to start clearing out your stuff and looking to the future. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 17 Sep. 2026 Government troops patrolled the streets, ambulances rushed to the victims, and residents ventured out assessing damage and clearing out bloodied clothes from the pavement. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 While Vonnegut toiled in a malt syrup factory, several other prisoners were assigned to labor details clearing out the rubble left behind from the bombings. — Literary Hub, 31 Aug. 2026 Smoke from wildfires may lower air quality during the day, clearing out overnight as the storm system moves in. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 27 Aug. 2026 His team began clearing out an informal dump site, eventually transforming it into a community garden. — Ryan Lenora Brown, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Aug. 2026 The Call Her Daddy host, who is pregnant with her first child, has been clearing out other expectant moms' baby registries on social media. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 18 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 Parents showed up at Walmart in Hollywood, loading up on school supplies and clearing out shelves ahead of the start of school this week. — Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clearing out
  1. withdrawal
  2. dispersing
  3. escaping
  4. departing
  5. retirement
  6. fleeing
  7. exiting
  8. egress
Noun
  • Jared Koopman, head of the IRS’ criminal investigations division, told reporters the defendants then allegedly used the proceeds to purchase luxury homes, send money overseas through wire transfers and make large cash withdrawals.
    — Ken Sweet, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • For no-penalty CDs, withdrawals are not allowed within the first 6 days after account funding.
    — David McMillin, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of withdrawal
Verb
  • By dispersing weapons across submarines, aircraft, land forces, unmanned systems, and allied bases, the United States could create multiple threats that China would have to account for simultaneously.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The Retired Police Canine Foundation was selected as the recipient of these funds and is in charge of dispersing them to handlers across the state.
    — Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of dispersing
Verb
  • Three weeks earlier, his army suffered a catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Long Island, escaping destruction only through a desperate nighttime evacuation across the East River.
    — Harry Ostrer, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Sacramento police are searching for an e-bike rider who led officers on a chase Tuesday afternoon before getting onto Highway 99 and escaping.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of escaping
Verb
  • Donald Tusk, Poland's prime minister, warned on Thursday before departing for Ukraine that Moscow is planning hybrid strikes with drones or rockets on European countries supporting Kyiv, among them Poland.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Tusk, Poland’s prime minister, warned on Thursday before departing for Ukraine that Moscow is planning hybrid strikes with drones or rockets on European countries supporting Kyiv, among them Poland.
    — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of departing
Noun
  • The un-retirement of Aaron Donald will help absorb the loss of Garrett along the defensive line, but Donald won’t be an every-down player.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Lionel Messi’s has long been the face of Adidas but announced his retirement from international football after making it to the World Cup Final and likely won’t be playing in the MLS for much longer.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of retirement
Verb
  • During the 1980s, Los Angeles saw another influx of Latin American immigration, including Mexicans and Central Americans fleeing poverty and war.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Following the incident, New Britain officials said witnesses reported seeing a vehicle fleeing the scene that was believed to possibly be involved.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of fleeing
Verb
  • The shortstop is day to day after exiting Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians with a left wrist bruise.
    — LaMond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Jonathan Bowlan got two outs in the eighth before exiting due to right groin tightness with a 2-2 count on Francisco Lindor.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of exiting
Noun
  • Some have indentations meant to gather rainwater, and some have multiple points of entry and egress, all of which the rats apparently appreciate.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Crossover also adds a new off-road-ready electric step for easier ingress and egress.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of egress

Browse Nearby Words

clearing off
clearing out
clearings
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Cite this Entry

“Clearing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clearing%20out. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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