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to clear

to clear

1.5
To remove people or things from a place
  • verb
  • /klɪr/
translation icon : despejar
  • As a result, a large percentage of bottomland area has been cleared for agriculture.
  • clear away
  • clear the road
  • clear the streets

By doing that, you clear a pathway to healing.

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Examples

  • The crew worked hard to clear the debris from the road after the storm.

  • The surge has succeeded in clearing Taliban forces from Kandahar and Helmand provinces.

    Academic text (2012)
  • So she does that and then I go, can we clear the area, please?

  • How long would it take to clear that whole area?

  • Now, take your people and clear out.

  • Gentlemen, let's clear the room.

  • I think the best thing for everybody to do right now is just-- just clear outta here.

  • If necessary, U.S. troops should become available to clear and hold key terrain.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Fan out to your designated positions, clear the immediate area, then move on to the next position.

  • Many hurdles need to be cleared before a printed organ can be implanted into a human patient.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

to eliminate
vsto clear
  • NSFW
502 3.4

Remove or kill something completely so it is gone

is more neutral and practical, aimed at emptying or clearing space rather than total elimination
to clean
vsto clear
260 1.0

To empty something completely

is similar but also stresses removing blocking people or obstacles, not only contents
to empty
vsto clear
179 1.0

To remove everything from a container or place

adds the idea of removing obstructions or people, not only contents
to erase
vsto clear
144 1.6

Remove marks, writing, or digital files so they are no longer visible

focuses on physical or spatial removal rather than erasing traces or data
to clear out
vsto clear
91 3.1

Remove all things from a place so it becomes empty

focuses generally on making a place empty or unobstructed rather than personal removal
to clean out
vsto clear
91 3.2

Empty a place or container by removing everything inside

covers emptying but also includes removing obstructions or people, not just contents
to flush out
vsto clear
51 4.5

Force unwanted people or things out of a place, often using water

is broader, not necessarily involving force or specific means to remove items
to sweep away
vsto clear
16 3.8

To get rid of something completely so it no longer exists

is the general act of making a place unobstructed without implying total erasure
to free
vsto clear
12 1.0

To remove something unwanted from a place or person

is a wider action to make an area empty and remove people or objects
to clear away
vsto clear
10 1.8

To take things away from a place to make it tidy

is the broader action of emptying or removing obstructions from a place
to screen out
vsto clear
9 4.3

To check and remove people or things that are not wanted

is broader, including physical clearing of space, not only filtering processes
to clear off
vsto clear
8 3.0

Remove things from a surface to make it empty or clean

applies more widely to making spaces free of obstructions, not only surfaces
to void
vsto clear
2 5.8

To make a place empty by removing all people or things

is the general act of making a place unobstructed, not only formal emptying
to sweep out
vsto clear
1 2.2

To remove dirt or leaves from a place using a broom

is similar but does not limit the method to sweeping
to unstuff
vsto clear
1 7.4

To clear a blocked nose or ear so air can move

covers that and also removing people or general unwanted items from a place
1 1.0

To remove dirt or mud from a surface

applies to emptying spaces rather than removing surface dirt
to unclutter
vsto clear
1 4.1

To remove things you do not need to make a place tidy and easier to use

is broader, including removing any obstructions or people, not only clutter
to uncloud
vsto clear
5.8

To make something clear by removing clouds or confusion

refers to physical emptying or removing obstructions, not removing confusion
to decongest
vsto clear
5.2

To make a place less crowded by removing things that block it

is the general clearing of obstructions, not limited to crowding or congestion

Antonyms

222 1.0

Full of too many people to move or sit comfortably

25 3.0

Full of too many things so it looks messy

Idioms

in the clear
  • Informal
33 4.4

Not in danger, trouble, or under suspicion

11 3.2

Safe to go because no one is watching

3 8.0

Decide you can do something after problems are solved

Easy to understand without extra details

Phrasal Verbs

Say something so other people understand what you mean

172 2.3

To explain something so people understand it

91 3.1

Remove all things from a place so it becomes empty

51 2.0

To become clear after cloudy or rainy weather

34 4.0

To stay away from people and things that may cause trouble or harm

to clear the air
  • Informal
24 4.1

Help people stop feeling angry or worried by talking about the problem

Remove dishes and other things from the table after a meal

12 2.6

To finish tasks completely so nothing is left

10 1.8

To take things away from a place to make it tidy

8 3.0

Remove things from a surface to make it empty or clean

4 5.7

Finish current tasks and remove problems to prepare for something new

2 4.6

Remove mucus from the chest or lungs by coughing

to clear-cut
  • Specialized
2 6.1

To cut down all the trees in an area at once

To stop thinking about upsetting or confusing thoughts to feel calmer

To stop worrying and think calmly to focus

to clear the table
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Remove all rows from a database table to make it empty

Deal with all the emails in your inbox so it is empty or easy to handle

To cough slightly to remove mucus from your throat or to get attention

To make a clear line between two areas or kinds of activity

Compounds

crystal clear
  • Informal
43 2.5

Very easy to understand or hear

27 4.2

Easy to see and understand

all clear
  • Formal
26 3.2

A signal like a siren or announcement that tells people it is safe after an emergency

10 1.3

An obvious thing that shows something is true

A legal rule that allows stopping speech when it poses a serious, obvious threat to public safety

A message that clearly shows someone's opinion or decision and is easy to understand

Completely see-through so you can easily see inside

clear sailing
  • Informal
2 3.5

A time when things move forward easily and without problems

clear-cutting
  • Specialized
2 5.2

Cutting down all the trees in an area at once

An exchange of information that people understand easily

clear-air turbulence
  • Specialized
1 8.4

Sudden strong air movement in clear sky that shakes airplanes

clear liquid diet
  • Specialized
1 3.7

Only clear drinks and foods like broth, juice or gelatin for medical reasons

A calm part of the ocean that has very clear blue water

A clear agreement with an idea, policy, or group

A clear division between two groups that shows who supports each side in a dispute

clear glaze
  • Specialized
4.1

A clear, thin layer put on wood or other surfaces to protect them and make them look shiny

An honest, fair look at the facts

How Empty

to empty
179 1.0
to clear
1.5
to remove
1.5
to evacuate
344 4.1
to tidy
42 1.0

Surface Forms

clear infinitive
cleared past
cleared past participle
clearing present participle
clears third person singular

Etymology

To clear (verb) is to make a space free and open, and this comes from the same idea in Latin clarus of making something bright and visible, so to clear is to remove things that block the way.