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to evacuate

to evacuate

5 5.0
To take out what is inside a container so it becomes empty
  • verb
  • /ɪˈvæk.ju.eɪt/
translation icon : vaciar
  • Evacuate base immediately.

Examples

  • The crew worked quickly to evacuate the passengers from the damaged train.

  • We have to evacuate this depot.

  • The university was evacuated seven hours ago.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • If you have already evacuated, find shelter immediately.

  • We've got to evacuate the I.C.U.

  • Navy's ordered this island evacuated.

  • Evacuate the park!

  • Both Woods and Doherty fought against the onslaught until reinforcements could arrive to evacuate the consulate employees.

    Blog text (17)
  • The firefighters were called in to evacuate the building before the flames spread.

  • They had to evacuate all the supplies from the storage room by the end of the day.

Synonyms

to get out
vsto evacuate
1.0

Take something out of a container like a box or cupboard

describes the full emptying action rather than removing one item
to remove
vsto evacuate
1.5

To move something or someone away from a place

is specifically about making a container or space have no contents
to take out
vsto evacuate
948 1.9

To remove something from a place or container

is focused on emptying an entire container or space rather than single removals
to dump
vsto evacuate
541 2.6

To drop or throw things away in a careless way

is a neutral act of emptying without implying carelessness or waste
to pull out
vsto evacuate
523 2.7

To take something out of a place, often with effort

refers to emptying contents generally rather than extracting single items
to release
vsto evacuate
446 2.7

To allow a liquid, gas, or energy to flow out

is focused on intentional removal of all contents rather than passive discharge
to clean
vsto evacuate
260 1.0

To empty something completely

is the general verb for emptying containers or spaces completely
to unload
vsto evacuate
125 2.6

Take things or people out of a vehicle like a truck

is broader, applying to emptying any container or space, not just cargo
to unpack
vsto evacuate
117 1.0

To take things out of a suitcase or box

is broader, not limited to personal luggage or packed boxes
to clear out
vsto evacuate
91 3.1

Remove all things from a place so it becomes empty

describes the same emptying action in a neutral, general way
to clean out
vsto evacuate
91 3.2

Empty a place or container by removing everything inside

focuses on the basic action of making a container or space empty
to bring out
vsto evacuate
61 1.6

Take something out of a cupboard or closet

is the general term for emptying all contents rather than single items
to flush out
vsto evacuate
51 4.5

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

is the simple act of emptying without forcing from concealment
to expel
vsto evacuate
34 5.0

Push out a substance, for example gas from a body or container

is the neutral act of emptying, not necessarily by force
to wash away
vsto evacuate
33 2.1

Water or another liquid carries something away

is an intentional emptying action, not a passive washing away
to eject
vsto evacuate
32 4.2

Force someone to leave a place

is about removing contents of containers or spaces, not people specifically
to jettison
vsto evacuate
29 7.8

Throw things from a ship or plane to make it lighter

is a general term for removing contents without implying dropping from vehicles
to offload
vsto evacuate
11 3.9

To take goods off a vehicle or container

is the more general act of emptying contents from any container
to clear away
vsto evacuate
10 1.8

To take things away from a place to make it tidy

is a more general emptying action, not focused on tidiness alone
to cart away
vsto evacuate
  • Informal
1 4.1

To take something away in a vehicle, often because it is large or unwanted

covers emptying but focuses on transport away rather than simply clearing out
to sweep away
vsto evacuate
1 3.9

To destroy or carry something away completely, for example by water

is emptying contents while not necessarily destroying the space or items
to unstow
vsto evacuate
1 8.1

To take something out of where it is kept

is the general action of emptying rather than undoing careful storage
to uncrate
vsto evacuate
1 7.5

Take something out of a box used to carry things

is a general emptying action not limited to crates
to jettison cargo
vsto evacuate
1 7.6

To throw things off a ship or plane to make it lighter

is broader, meaning to empty contents without emergency or load reasons
to unlade
vsto evacuate
  • Archaic
9.9

To take goods off a vehicle like a ship

covers that removal but also applies to non cargo containers or spaces
to slop out
vsto evacuate
  • Informal
9.8

To empty dirty liquid or other waste from a container like a bucket

is the basic act of emptying any contents, not only dirty liquids
to empty the tank
vsto evacuate
3.9

Remove all fuel or other liquid from a tank until it is empty

is the general act of removing all contents from containers not limited to fuel

Antonyms

1.0

To make a place full by putting people or things into it

Phrasal Verbs

To move people out of a building for safety during an emergency

Leave a place because it is dangerous or officials tell you to

How Empty

to evacuate
5 5.0
to drain
198 1.0

Surface Forms

evacuate infinitive
evacuated past
evacuated past participle
evacuating present participle
evacuates third person singular

Morphology

evacuate = vacate (transparent) = e + vacate

The sense 'to empty a container' follows directly from 'vacate' meaning 'make empty' with the prefix 'e-' indicating outward/away.

Etymology

Evacuate comes from the Latin parts e- ('out') and vac- ('empty'), like in the word vacate. So to evacuate a tank or container is to remove its contents and make it 'empty'.