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
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 expunge
In addition to activities, teens will have access to resources such as job training, housing information, and support with expunging criminal records.
—
Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Most distressingly to protesters, there is no way to request the DNA samples’ destruction, and the process to get DNA profiles expunged from the database comes with extra costs and could take as long as five years.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
Many states have already taken steps such as expunging criminal records.
—Gene Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Secure systems like these are often set to expunge questions and answers from their memory once a session is done, so classified information is neither used for later training nor retained in any memory.
—Erik German, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expunge
Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Most distressingly to protesters, there is no way to request the DNA samples’ destruction, and the process to get DNA profiles expunged from the database comes with extra costs and could take as long as five years.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 7 May 2026
Many states have already taken steps such as expunging criminal records.
—Gene Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Secure systems like these are often set to expunge questions and answers from their memory once a session is done, so classified information is neither used for later training nor retained in any memory.
—Erik German, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expunge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expunge
Verb
-
The Lynx erased the Sparks’ 7-3 lead — fueled by quick starts from Burrell and Hamby.—
Jordan Puente,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
-
But the improvement was not enough to erase the lead held by opponents, according to an analysis of vote updates monitored by The Bee over the past two weeks.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Incomplete or inappropriate antibiotic courses amplify this effect by exposing bacteria to sub-therapeutic drug concentrations without eradicating them.—
Robert Glatter,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
-
Building new sterile fly production facilities in the Southwest helped eradicate the flies in that region too, and by 1966, the US was declared officially screwworm-free.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
The story of Maria José of Savoy, who served as queen of Italy after World War II for only 27 days before Italians voted to abolish the monarchy, is set to be the subject of a new historical drama.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
17 June 2026
-
In 1926, diplomats gathered beneath the high ceilings of the League of Nations in Geneva to draft the world's first international treaty abolishing slavery.—
Nicole F. Roberts,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Verb
-
Both victims died in separate mobile homes that were destroyed about two to three miles apart, Bullard said.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
-
If Iran’s atomic weapons infrastructure was destroyed in this war, funneling hundreds of billions into the country can’t be used to rebuild it.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expunge. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
