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 given until April 7 to clear out their desks. Arkansas Online, 30 Mar. 2025 The baths had mostly cleared out. Bryan Washington, The New Yorker, 23 Mar. 2025 Snag a new bed, decorative throw pillow for spring, and extra storage finds to clear out clutter while nearly the entire site is up to 82 percent off — which includes Kelly Clarkson’s home collection. Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025 Protests against the project began in April 2016 and ended in February 2017 when authorities cleared out the last holdouts from the protest camp. Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 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 17 Apr. 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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