as in clearing
to remove the contents of
empty the room before starting to paint the ceiling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 emptying
Because these medications slow down gastric emptying (the speed at which food leaves your stomach), constipation is a very common side effect.
—
Lauren Manaker, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026
Begin by emptying all pockets of the jacket and turning it inside out.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
An ex-trader explained that if bettors exhibited potential signs of compulsive gambling, such as frenetically emptying and refilling their account balance, the trader would check if RG wanted to reach out to make sure the customer was OK.
—Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Its first season’s defining set piece plunged the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center’s emergency department into the aftermath of a mass shooting, an act of narrative escalation that felt like the writers’ room emptying its reserves.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Which is why, in an emptying visitors locker room at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, veteran safety Nick Scott scoffed at the suggestion an 8-9 team isn’t worthy of a playoff ticket.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
After staying close for three quarters, the Lakers collapsed in the fourth, scoring just eight points in eight minutes and emptying the bench down 26.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
The Heat then went with a bench rotation of Jaquez, Jakucionis, Dru Smith and Jovic for the second straight game before emptying the bench late in the blowout win.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025
Remove them by emptying containers with standing water, fixing leaks, and cleaning gutters where water may accumulate.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
Lauren Manaker, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026
Begin by emptying all pockets of the jacket and turning it inside out.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
An ex-trader explained that if bettors exhibited potential signs of compulsive gambling, such as frenetically emptying and refilling their account balance, the trader would check if RG wanted to reach out to make sure the customer was OK.
—Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026
Its first season’s defining set piece plunged the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center’s emergency department into the aftermath of a mass shooting, an act of narrative escalation that felt like the writers’ room emptying its reserves.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026
Which is why, in an emptying visitors locker room at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, veteran safety Nick Scott scoffed at the suggestion an 8-9 team isn’t worthy of a playoff ticket.
—Joseph Person, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026
After staying close for three quarters, the Lakers collapsed in the fourth, scoring just eight points in eight minutes and emptying the bench down 26.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
The Heat then went with a bench rotation of Jaquez, Jakucionis, Dru Smith and Jovic for the second straight game before emptying the bench late in the blowout win.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Dec. 2025
Remove them by emptying containers with standing water, fixing leaks, and cleaning gutters where water may accumulate.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for emptying
Verb
-
Ahead of the Bears’ first playoff appearance since 2020, NFC North champion merch is on sale, clearing the shelves for loftier goals.—
Jayna Bardahl,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
-
To avoid piling up snow on plants when clearing snow, mark them with stakes in the fall.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Before Maduro was captured, AP reported Russia had started evacuating families of diplomats from Venezuela.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
-
At a recent event providing health services to those affected, MusiCares says many participants shared stories of evacuating with only a few minutes notice, forcing some to leave behind their means of livelihood – instruments and studios, some of which the organization has helped to replace.—
Andrew Flanagan,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Use acetone only as a last resort, test first, then finish by cleaning with mild soapy water.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Each tank holds 40 liters, and each cleaning cycle uses roughly one liter of water per pair of shoes.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Indoor poinsettias should be repotted out of poorly draining pots as soon as possible, while outdoor plants should only be transplanted outside when temperatures are above 50°F.—
Lauren Landers,
The Spruce,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Add a base layer of well-draining potting mix to the bottom of the new pot, about a few inches deep.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The triumphant revival of Eats at Wild Heaven Beer’s West End taproom was announced this week, but the move was predicated on El Tesoro, another beloved casual restaurant, vacating the space.—
Henri Hollis,
AJC.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Moments after vacating the Ford Edge and moving farther down the shoulder of the highway away from their vehicle, all three were struck by another vehicle.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
It was last renovated in the 1990s by Andrés Balazs, who gave it a more contemporary feel without eliminating old-school charms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Jan. 2026
-
By eliminating heavy abrasion, jeans are less lightly to breakdown prematurely.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Emptying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emptying. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
