expunge

verb

ik-ˈspənj How to pronounce expunge (audio)
Definition of expungenext
as in to erase
to destroy all traces of time and the weather have expunged any evidence that a thriving community once existed here

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 expunge Still, very much despite herself, Cusk has not succeeded in expunging character from her work. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 In the early 20th century, a massive national mosquito-eradication effort, which led to the CDC’s creation, ultimately expunged the disease from the country. — Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026 Five students were charged after the incident, but all of them have entered diversionary programs to have the charges expunged. — Laura Fay, CBS News, 3 Aug. 2026 Rignol also wants his F reversed and his disciplinary records expunged. — Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for expunge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expunge
  1. erase
  2. eradicate
  3. abolish
  4. destroy
Verb
  • That means the race winner could potentially gain 75 points in a single race on another driver, and that has the potential to erase gaps very quickly.
    — Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Trump is moving to strip California’s emissions authority, end tax credits and erase electric vehicle sales mandates, reshaping the national market while leaving the state’s clean-car future tangled in Washington-level uncertainty.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of erase
Verb
  • For decades, deer had populated Santa Rosa Island, but they were eradicated from the island at the end of 2011 to restore its native ecosystem and protect its natural vegetation.
    — Noe Padilla, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Within a year of its onset, the economic depression practically eradicated the need to mint any new coinage for months.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of eradicate
Verb
  • This July, the EU enacted one of their demands, abolishing the customs duty exemption below €150 and introducing a temporary €3 duty per item.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Others, like abolishing the Senate and Supreme Court, are more controversial and used by Republicans to hammer DSA candidates as out of step with the American mainstream.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of abolish
Verb
  • In 2025, Ukraine smuggled over 100 drones into Russia inside cargo trucks to conduct strikes that damaged or destroyed roughly one-third of Russia’s active bomber fleet and caused approximately $7 billion in damages.
    — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some 36,000 houses and buildings were destroyed or damaged, and more than 2,000 people are still living in evacuation centers, including school gymnasiums and community centers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of destroy

Browse Nearby Words

expulsions
expunge
expunged
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Cite this Entry

“Expunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expunge. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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