1
as in dispersing
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
police used tear gas to clear out the demonstrators
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in escaping
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
everyone cleared out as soon as the fire alarm began sounding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in departing
to leave a place often for another
the lunch crowd usually clears out by 2:00 p.m. at the latest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in withdrawal
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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 clearing out
Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2025
In the end, that footballer himself was clearing out a cannabis plantation.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Additional federal law enforcement officials from the FBI, Secret Service, DEA and other federal law enforcement agencies were also deployed throughout Washington to supplement local law enforcement, including clearing out homeless encampments.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
After material donations and in-kind support, Revitalize Milwaukee and its volunteers completed nearly $7,500 in repairs to Frias' home, including updating electrical work, installing a more accessible back porch and clearing out the family's yard, Roach said.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 19 Aug. 2025
In the end, that footballer himself was clearing out a cannabis plantation.
—Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025
Additional federal law enforcement officials from the FBI, Secret Service, DEA and other federal law enforcement agencies were also deployed throughout Washington to supplement local law enforcement, including clearing out homeless encampments.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clearing out
Verb
-
Whether the Supreme Court fires this blast or not, Republicans need to be aware that breaking up majority-minority districts, and dispersing those voters into neighboring districts to dilute their voting power, may well make those neighboring districts less safe for Republican incumbents.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Several local agencies from neighboring towns were called in to assist in dispersing the unruly crowd, and no injuries were reported among the officers.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Minnesota Vikings were on the short end of the score for three quarters as Caleb Williams was running and escaping from the pass rush and the Chicago Bears appeared to be on their way to a season-opening victory against the division rivals.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
This is psychoanalysis, plainly, and there is no escaping the mediation of the psyche.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Lock your home before departing.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The Heat also brought in forward Simone Fontecchio as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons, sending out departing ex-Heat free sharpshooter Duncan Robinson in the offing.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
China expanded its activities in the South China Sea following the US withdrawal, building artificial islands and military outposts.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, and its leaves are used to create products that some say help treat pain, anxiety, depression and help with opioid withdrawal.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bolsonaro is under house arrest, surrounded by guards to prevent him from fleeing to a foreign embassy to request asylum.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Campuses are also a common site for hoax active shooter reports, which often causes mass panic and sends students fleeing for safety.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Center Jonny King is considered questionable for Saturday’s contest after exiting in the second half against the Tar Heels.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The air-condition, heating and electricity automatically turns off when the keycard is taken out of its slot, but to avoid this many leave one card in the slot when exiting the room.—
Mattias Goldmann,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At the same time, lawmakers had capped the agency’s administrative funding just as tens of millions of Baby Boomers were aging into retirement, exploding Social Security’s rolls.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
-
About six months after Aerosmith announced their retirement, Tyler took to the stage at his Jam for Janie Grammy Awards Viewing Party in Los Angeles.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Videos circulating online showed the gruesome scene as Kirk slumped over, and people ducked to the ground before running away and huddling in nearby buildings.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Stunned spectators gasp and scream before people start running away.—
Jesse Bedayn,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Clearing out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clearing%20out. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share