clear out

verb

cleared out; clearing out; clears out

intransitive verb

: depart

transitive verb

: to drive out or away usually forcibly

Synonyms

• disband
• dispel
• disperse
• dissipate
• scatter
• squander

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

At some campuses, administrators got tough with the protesters, cleared out the sprawling encampments and disciplined or even arrested the student demonstrators who occupied and fortified them. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

Customers lining up in the pre-dawn hours after Thanksgiving quickly cleared out the supply of vinyl at many stores as soon as the doors opened, according to widespread fan reports, though a store-by-store hunt could turn up copies at other locations. —Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024

Mooney ran a go route, attempting to clear out Still. —Daniel Popper, The Athletic, 2 Dec. 2024

Complicating things, Stellantis is ramping up incentives at the same time as other automakers are increasing their year-end deals to clear out 2024 models, which increases competition. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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