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.
Before a school day starts, the guard will be tasked with clearing out the lot to prevent it from blocking students getting into school. Grace Tucker, Cincinnati Enquirer, 21 Oct. 2025 Stores have cleared out their spooky decor and swapped it for tinsel and bows, and my shopping senses are tingling. Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 After the game, most of Arrowhead Stadium cleared out, except for the area around the suite where Swift watched the Chiefs thump their AFC West foe. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025 The Silver Linings Playbook actress is recalling a wild incident at her home in which her Die, My Love costar Robert Pattinson unknowingly cleared out her trash can when her fridge was already empty. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 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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