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
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.
Workers were abruptly shut out of their government email accounts and told to clear out their desks on the spot, as NPR has reported. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 21 Feb. 2025 Johnson submitted her voluntary resignation and cleared out her office before the Jan. 30 board meeting. Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Feb. 2025 The fate of Gaza has become even more uncertain with President Donald Trump's recent remarks about clearing out the territory and issuing an ultimatum to expedite the release of all hostages by today. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025 Heavy rains moved through the county overnight, but had cleared out by the time the second round began. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear%20out. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

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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