clear out

verb

cleared out; clearing out; clears out

transitive verb

: to drive out or away usually forcibly

Examples of clear out in a Sentence

police used tear gas to clear out the demonstrators everyone cleared out as soon as the fire alarm began sounding
Recent Examples on the Web The packed council chambers cleared out after the vote, but some stayed until the end of the meeting to speak against the decision for a do-over. Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 22 May 2024 Alongside fellow protesters, a DePaul University senior lived in one of a sea of small tents on the quad for a little over two weeks, until police on Thursday cleared out the pro-Palestinian encampment — the last one standing on a Chicago-area college campus. Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for clear out 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clear out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of clear out was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near clear out

Cite this Entry

“Clear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear%20out. Accessed 28 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

clear out

verb
1
: to go or run away often suddenly or secretly
a horse broke loose and cleared out
cleared out without paying me back
2
: to drive out or away usually with force
police cleared out the demonstrators
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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