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

The preliminary investigation suggests that work crews were in the basement of the building to reportedly clear out old utility infrastructure prior to the explosion, according to NTSB board member Tom Chapman. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 30 May 2024

This narration is paired with pictures of Trump during his presidency, including his notorious photo op with a Bible in front of the Church of the Presidents after deploying federal forces to clear out protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death and subsequent fight against racial injustice. —Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 25 May 2024

So, bicycle makers have been slashing prices to clear out the excess. —Mae Anderson, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 May 2024

Port of Baltimore channel to tentatively reopen by end of May Crews have been working for weeks remove the bridge wreckage to clear out the port. —Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 12 May 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