as in withdrawal
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1
as in dispersing
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
police used tear gas to clear out the demonstrators
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clearing out
Essence, 8 May 2026
That may be a sign Google is clearing out its experimental tools ahead of the next event.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 7 May 2026
Even if clearing out that mental block was an act of Herculean plumbing.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 5 May 2026
Witnesses told officers that, inside the venue, Jones and Viswanath got into a physical fight that prompted private security to start clearing out the space, according to the Arlington Police Department.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Chris Boozer, owner of The Trash Porters in Wilmington, spends his days clearing out homes and businesses.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Hornets might be clearing out their lockers Wednesday after a loss.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026
How gyms are adapting Gyms are clearing out some of their cardio equipment to make way for more weight racks, according to Petrzela.
—Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
Spring isn’t just a time for clearing out closets and deep cleaning the kitchen.
—Brittany Nims, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the spirit of spring, the style maven has been clearing out what no longer serves her wardrobe.
—Essence, 8 May 2026
That may be a sign Google is clearing out its experimental tools ahead of the next event.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 7 May 2026
Even if clearing out that mental block was an act of Herculean plumbing.
—Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 5 May 2026
Witnesses told officers that, inside the venue, Jones and Viswanath got into a physical fight that prompted private security to start clearing out the space, according to the Arlington Police Department.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Apr. 2026
Chris Boozer, owner of The Trash Porters in Wilmington, spends his days clearing out homes and businesses.
—Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
The Hornets might be clearing out their lockers Wednesday after a loss.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 Apr. 2026
How gyms are adapting Gyms are clearing out some of their cardio equipment to make way for more weight racks, according to Petrzela.
—Caitlin Carlson, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
Spring isn’t just a time for clearing out closets and deep cleaning the kitchen.
—Brittany Nims, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clearing out
Noun
-
With McCaughey’s withdrawal, the delegates then endorsed Fazio unanimously in a voice vote.—
Christopher Keating,
Hartford Courant,
16 May 2026
-
The insula, in particular, organizes and coordinates the withdrawal response, facial expression and visceral sensations that together constitute a full disgust reaction.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Experts and congressional aides have said that Iran was likely able to preserve some of its arsenal by deploying decoys and dispersing weapons around the country.—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
1 May 2026
-
Johnson mentioned the possibility of Mexican wolves dispersing into Texas from the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area, which covers portions of Arizona and New Mexico south of Interstate 40.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The scientist told me repeatedly of escaping to the ship’s deck and surrounding himself with the openness of the ocean, the beauty of volcanic islands, the whales, the dolphins, the flying fish, and, above all, the seabirds.—
Akash Kapur,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
Mott’s criminal record includes charges of burglary, criminal trespassing, criminal mischief and escaping from custody or a detention facility, according to online records.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The cruise ship, now bound for the Port of Rotterdam, had been docked at the industrial port of Granadilla in the Spanish island off West Africa before departing.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
-
Frontier Flight 4345, an Airbus A321, was departing Denver en route to Los Angeles on Friday and carried 224 passengers and seven crew members, the airline said in a statement at the time.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Noun
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Democrats in Washington reacted so strongly that some even discussed a long-shot plan to prompt the Virginia legislature to throw out the state's Supreme Court by lowering the mandatory retirement age for justices, according to The New York Times.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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For example, Social Security retirement benefits could decrease and pensions could stay the same.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
In December 2025, a man was shot in the leg during a fight, with the shooter fleeing the scene.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
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The organization, known by its French acronym MSF, reported treating over 40 gunshot victims within 12 hours while providing temporary shelter to 800 people fleeing the violence.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Approximately two hours later, a third shooting was reported after witnesses observed a suspect wearing a black hoodie exiting a black sedan at another apartment complex and firing through the door of a third-floor unit, police said.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
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Several people were treated for ear pain after exiting an Allegiant plane that returned to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport because of cabin pressure issues Monday afternoon, according to Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue and the airline.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Installing egress windows may require major construction work and investment.—
Ana Durrani,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
By 1929, city regulations had expanded considerably to include stair construction, egress loads, and geometry.—
Michelle Sinclair Colman,
Curbed,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Clearing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clearing%20out. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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