1
as in to disperse
to cause (members of a group) to move widely apart
police used tear gas to clear out the demonstrators
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to escape
to get free from a dangerous or confining situation
everyone cleared out as soon as the fire alarm began sounding
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to depart
to leave a place often for another
the lunch crowd usually clears out by 2:00 p.m. at the latest
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of clear out
Christmas lights were twinkling on Washington Street, and around him, students were clearing out for the holidays, wheeling their suitcases behind them.
—
Ellen Barry, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
As police cleared out Times Square so the city Department of Sanitation could sweep up all the New Year’s confetti, cops were called to W. 137th St. and Lenox Ave.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2025
Once you’re finished, reconnect the power and run the disposal with hot water to clear out the soapy water.
—Julia Mitchem, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2024
One made up mostly of professionals might be packed in the after-work hours, while another one that caters to the retiree crowd may clear out well before 5:00 p.m.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clear out 
Ellen Barry, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
As police cleared out Times Square so the city Department of Sanitation could sweep up all the New Year’s confetti, cops were called to W. 137th St. and Lenox Ave.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2025
Once you’re finished, reconnect the power and run the disposal with hot water to clear out the soapy water.
—Julia Mitchem, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2024
One made up mostly of professionals might be packed in the after-work hours, while another one that caters to the retiree crowd may clear out well before 5:00 p.m.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 28 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clear out
Recent Examples of Synonyms for clear out
Verb
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Now, however, with the moa extinct, the fungi are likely not being dispersed as widely or as often.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
22 Jan. 2025
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That, too, is on the chopping block, with Trump freezing the remaining funds from being dispersed in a separate executive order.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Whatever happens, Iris can’t escape her programming, which obliges her to always be truthful, but doesn’t abide by Asimov’s second rule of robotics, which dictates that such a machine must not harm a human.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
22 Jan. 2025
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The 48 men were arrested by Thai authorities 11 years ago after crossing the border to Thailand in an attempt to escape persecution in China.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The return leg will depart Atlanta at 3:39 p.m., arriving in San Luis Potosi at 4:49 p.m.—
Stella Shon,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Jan. 2025
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The train departs from Denver Union Station at 7 a.m. and arrives in Winter Park at 9:11 a.m., which is ideal timing for nabbing one of the first lift rides of the day.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Investigators believe that an armed assailant entered the location and fired a gun, and then fled the scene, police said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Jan. 2025
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Assad, whose family had ruled Syria since 1971, fled to Moscow.—
Warren P. Strobel,
arkansasonline.com,
26 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The snow is moving east Tuesday, and is affecting coastal areas all the way to the Florida Panhandle and southern Carolinas.—
Andrew Freedman,
Axios,
22 Jan. 2025
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To land the kiss on her cheek, Trump would have had to either crane his neck or move her hat.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Still said the family had about five minutes to get out the door.—
Ryan Kellman,
NPR,
25 Jan. 2025
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Sitting in front of him was the angry sentry known as Devlin’s Billabong, named when Bruce Devlin needed six shots to get out of the pond in the final round of the 1975 Andy Williams Open.—
Bryce Miller,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Strong and her daughter safely exited their home and waited for officers from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office to arrive.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
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Another attorney — Radhika, 28, from New York — exits the limo doing a Bollywood dance, and Allyshia (29-year-old interior designer from Florida) asks the Bachelor to make a wish on her magic lamp.—
Kristen Baldwin,
EW.com,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Foster, fascinated by machines—and perhaps most appreciative of other people when they’re seen from an L. S. Lowry-like distance—had taken to flying gliders, and then planes.—
Ian Parker,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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As guesses fly around the room—parrots, pythons, adopted children, and even beef brisket—the ladies are left trying to figure out what Toya could possibly be revealing.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near clear out
Cite this Entry
“Clear out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/clear%20out. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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