EMPTYING Synonyms: 18 Similar and Opposite Words

emptying

verb

present participle of empty

as in clearing

to remove the contents of empty the room before starting to paint the ceiling

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 emptying My biggest gripe with this cleaner concerns emptying the debris basket. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026 Lake Powell has reached record low water levels in recent days, and along with Lake Mead to its south has been emptying amid severe drought in the West. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 That’s huge for us in terms of being professional, emptying the tank, but also recovering. — Christian Babcock, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026 The workers are in the district’s landscape maintenance, conservation and experiential programming, fleet and facilities departments — clearing roads, mowing lawns, cleaning buildings, maintaining trails and emptying trash cans. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 Regularly emptying your bladder is important to avoid discomfort and possible infections. — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026 The pace would put Lineage on track to finish emptying its freezers within two weeks. — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Never emptying the filter is another big no-no, and not draining the filter is also a mistake. — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026 Both Frank's and Lurk Cards are taking steps to protect their stores, including emptying all display cases at the end of the day. — Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for emptying

Verb

Crews have been clearing access for heavy machinery to be used in the search at the border crossing complex, which was washed away by the floods.

— Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
Certain receptors in the kidneys reabsorb it and return it to the bloodstream instead of clearing it through urine.

— Ayesha Gulzar, Verywell Health, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of clearing

Verb

In addition, many Israelis have taken pride in their country’s assistance to ill or wounded Palestinians during Israel’s war against Hamas by evacuating them for treatment outside Gaza.

— The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026
Officials say people evacuating should be prepared to stay away from home for several days, as unpredictable winds have complicated the fight to contain the blaze.

— Maria Godoy, NPR, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of evacuating

Verb

Hand soap is meant for clearing surface dirt, cleaning expert Andy Wray says.

— Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026
Blood Similar to cleaning urine stains, if the blood on your mattress is fresh, then start the process by soaking up excess liquid with a paper towel before cleaning the area.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of cleaning

Verb

Libra September 23 – October 22 The routine that keeps draining you may need a more compassionate rhythm.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026
The law paved the way for thousands of victims to sue their abusers but has been criticized for draining the coffers of local governments.

— Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of draining

Verb

With Hageman vacating her seat, nine Republicans are vying for the GOP nomination and two Democrats are competing for their nomination.

— Caroline Linton, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams is moving to second base for the Washington Nationals, vacating the only position he's played during his five seasons with the club.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of vacating

Verb

The new system allows the drone to release supplies while hovering, drop payloads during forward flight, or land and unload cargo autonomously, eliminating the need for personnel or dedicated equipment at the receiving site.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2026
Our own Fire Chief Tony Marrone has said that eliminating the entire deer population would increase the risk of wildfire on the island.

— Noe Padilla, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of eliminating

Browse Nearby Words

empty-headed

emptying

empyreal

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Emptying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/emptying. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of emptying

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes