clear out

verb

cleared out; clearing out; clears out
Synonyms of clear outnext

intransitive verb

: depart

transitive verb

: to drive out or away usually forcibly

Synonyms of clear out

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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
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.
Parents showed up at Walmart in Hollywood, loading up on school supplies and clearing out shelves ahead of the start of school this week. — Nikiya Carrero, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 Decluttering should precede organizing; the Core 4 Method (clear out, categorize, cut out, contain) simplifies the process. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Aug. 2026 Places like Cape May, Kennebunkport, and Montauk clear out, except for the savvy weekenders clinging to the fleeting moments of summer—and that’s when these destinations really shine. — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2026 Next spring, Harper hopes, the cemetery will be cleared out enough for the volunteers to go in. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for clear out

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

Rhymes for clear out

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Browse Nearby Words

clear oneself
clear out
clear plate
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Cite this Entry

“Clear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear%20out. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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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
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