expunging

verb

present participle of expunge
as in eradicating
to destroy all traces of time and the weather have expunged any evidence that a thriving community once existed here

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of expunging Many states have already taken steps such as expunging criminal records. — Gene Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 In recent years, clean slate laws have dominated criminal justice reform, focusing on sealing or expunging eligible records. — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 In addition to activities, teens will have access to resources such as job training, housing information, and support with expunging criminal records. — Hannah McIlree, CBS News, 12 May 2026 With Ukraine busy expunging Russian cultural influences, and cities and towns removing Russian historical and literary figures’ statues and street names, the idea of a new program focused on Ukraine’s former imperial master raised eyebrows. — Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expunging
  1. eradicating
  2. erasing
  3. abolishing
  4. destroying
Verb
  • When William and his brother, Prince Harry, were young boys, the former Princess of Wales would regularly take them to homeless shelters, and eradicating homelessness has become a cornerstone of the future king’s royal work.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 30 June 2026
  • The path through impostor syndrome is not about eradicating the doubt.
    — Karyn Gallant, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
Definition of eradicating
Verb
  • The birthright citizenship ruling was a win for democracy — and a warning about erasing history, argues columnist Anita Chabria.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Love is the capacity to hold difference without fragmentation, to bring parts into relationship without erasing their uniqueness and to align intelligence with constructive becoming.
    — Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Definition of erasing
Verb
  • Many of its candidates support entirely eliminating immigration enforcement, abolishing the police, sweeping wealth redistribution and expanding government ownership over significant sectors of the economy.
    — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 29 June 2026
  • But how does that -- how does abolishing prisons or having open borders fit into that?
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
Definition of abolishing
Verb
  • Mexican fruit flies are one of the world’s most destructive pests when laying their eggs, destroying or damaging fruit such as apples, grapefruits, avocados, peaches and pears, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
    — Kori McNair, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • But Blue Origin suffered a major setback in May when one of its New Glenn rockets abruptly exploded on the launchpad, destroying vital infrastructure that will take months to rebuild.
    — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 30 June 2026
Definition of destroying

Browse Nearby Words

expunges
expunging
expurgate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expunging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expunging. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on expunging

Nglish: Translation of expunging for Spanish Speakers

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