Expunge — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ik-ˈspənj/ ex·punge

Meaning & Definition of Expunge

Expunge (verb)

  1. to strike out, obliterate, or mark for deletion
  2. to efface completely, destroy
  3. to eliminate from one's consciousness

Expunge (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to destroy all traces of

    "time and the weather have expunged any evidence that a thriving community once existed here"

    similar: abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), efface, eradicate, erase, exterminate, extirpate, liquidate, obliterate, root (out), rub out, snuff (out), stamp (out), sweep (away), wipe out
    related: decimate, demolish, destroy, devastate, ravage, dismantle, flatten, mow (down), raze, tear down, ruin, total, waste, wreck, blast, blow up, dash, dynamite, smash, atomize, consume, devour, dissolve, fragment, powder, pulverize, shatter, splinter, doom, finish, kill, kill off, terminate, zap, cut, discard, ditch, eject, excise, expel, jettison, oust, throw out
    near: conserve, preserve, protect, save, build, construct, create, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, make, manufacture, shape, fix, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renew, renovate, repair, restore, revamp

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Expunge

The most common words with a similar meaning to Expunge:

abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), efface, eradicate, erase, exterminate, extirpate, liquidate, obliterate, root (out), rub out, snuff (out), stamp (out), sweep (away), wipe out

Related Words for Expunge

decimate, demolish, destroy, devastate, ravage, dismantle, flatten, mow (down), raze, tear down, ruin, total, waste, wreck, blast, blow up, dash, dynamite, smash, atomize, consume, devour, dissolve, fragment, powder, pulverize, shatter, splinter, doom, finish

Near Antonyms of Expunge

conserve, preserve, protect, save, build, construct, create, fabricate, fashion, forge, form, frame, make, manufacture, shape, fix, mend, patch, rebuild, recondition, reconstruct, renew, renovate, repair, restore, revamp

Word Forms of Expunge

Inflections: expunged, expunging

Derived words: expunger (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Expunge

Latin expungere to mark for deletion by dots, from ex- + pungere to prick pungent

First known use: 1602

Frequently Asked Questions about Expunge

What does "Expunge" mean?

"Expunge" means to strike out, obliterate, or mark for deletion. As a verb, it is defined as: to strike out, obliterate, or mark for deletion.

What is another word for "Expunge"?

Other words for "Expunge" include abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), efface and eradicate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Expunge" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Expunge"?

There are 62 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Expunge". Common alternatives include abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), efface, eradicate, erase and exterminate.

How do you use "Expunge" in a sentence?

Examples of "Expunge" in a sentence: "time and the weather have expunged any evidence that a thriving community once existed here".

Is "Expunge" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Expunge" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Expunge"?

"Expunge" is pronounced /ik-ˈspənj/ and divided into syllables as ex·punge.

What is the origin of the word "Expunge"?

"Expunge" comes from Latin expungere to mark for deletion by dots, from ex- + pungere to prick pungent. First known use: 1602.

What is another word for "Expunge" meaning "to destroy all traces of"?

When "Expunge" (verb) means to destroy all traces of, synonyms include abolish, annihilate, black out, blot out, cancel and clean (up).