EXPUNGING Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

expunging

verb

present participle of expunge

as in eradicating

to destroy all traces of time and the weather have expunged any evidence that a thriving community once existed here

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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 expunging Still, very much despite herself, Cusk has not succeeded in expunging character from her work. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026 With Ukraine busy expunging Russian cultural influences, and cities and towns removing Russian historical and literary figures’ statues and street names, the idea of a new program focused on Ukraine’s former imperial master raised eyebrows. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2026 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 Many states have already taken steps such as expunging criminal records. — Gene Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 In recent years, clean slate laws have dominated criminal justice reform, focusing on sealing or expunging eligible records. — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expunging

Verb

Tlaib is also a prominent critic of Israel; her rhetoric has been chastised by Jewish colleagues as an antisemitic call for eradicating Jews, a charge the congresswoman and her supporters reject.

— Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
That method, called Sterile Insect Technique, was originally successful in eradicating flies from the United States and Central America and pushing the screwworm population back beyond the Darién Gap at the border of Panama and Colombia.

— Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of eradicating

Verb

This has triggered a critical internal shift, with advocacy groups noting that the administration is actively erasing the diverse history and cultural representation that national parks protect.

— Kimmie Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
Around that time, gold and silver had fallen to seven-month lows, erasing some of the gains the metals made during a historic price rally that ended in January of this year.

— Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of erasing

Verb

Some members sought to amend the resolution to call for reforming ICE rather than abolishing it.

— Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 13 Aug. 2026
Some of Hong’s past comments, including calling for the cancellation of Thanksgiving and abolishing the police, have garnered scrutiny in recent days.

— Garrett Downs, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of abolishing

Verb

Pumping at high speeds creates a suction vortex (upconing) that violently draws heavy sludge into the production stream, fouling piping and destroying surface pumps.

— Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026
The tornado wreaked havoc in the village of 1,000 inhabitants, reducing homes to rubble and destroying numerous cars.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroying

Browse Nearby Words

expunges

expunging

expurgate

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“Expunging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expunging. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of expunging

verb

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