expunge

The word “expunge” refers to the act of removing, erasing, or obliterating something completely, often with the intention of making it disappear or become forgotten. It is commonly used in legal, formal, or metaphorical contexts, where something is erased from records, memory, or existence. For example, a criminal record may be expunged if certain legal conditions are met, effectively clearing a person’s history of a past offense. In writing, one may expunge errors or irrelevant information to make a document cleaner and more concise. In a more figurative sense, someone might expunge negative emotions or memories to move forward in life. The term emphasizes complete removal, typically with the idea that the expunged material is no longer accessible or traceable. Whether it’s data, emotions, or records, to expunge means to cleanse or eliminate entirely.

Sample Sentences

1. The judge decided to expunge the defendant’s criminal record after successful rehabilitation.
2. The editor instructed the writer to expunge any unnecessary details from the manuscript.
3. He hoped to expunge the painful memories of his past to move on with his life.
4. The school promised to expunge the student’s suspension from their records after they completed community service.
5. She was eager to expunge the mistakes from her final draft before submitting it.
6. The company will expunge all outdated information from its database for privacy reasons.
7. After the scandal, the politician worked hard to expunge any trace of it from public perception.
8. The therapist helped her to expunge feelings of guilt and regret during their sessions.
9. The artist decided to expunge any prior works that did not align with their current style.
10. He tried to expunge any lingering resentment from his relationship to move forward.

Synonyms for “Expunge”

1. Erase
2. Remove
3. Eliminate
4. Delete
5. Obliterate
6. Wipe out
7. Abolish
8. Annihilate
9. Purge
10. Clear

Antonyms for “Expunge”

1. Retain
2. Preserve
3. Keep
4. Maintain
5. Save
6. Record
7. Record
8. Archive
9. Add
10. Insert

Related Words and Expressions

Related Words:

• Erase
• Delete
• Obliterate
• Wipe out
• Abolish
• Purge
• Remove
• Clear
• Cleanse
• Annihilate

Phrasal Verbs:

• Expunge from (to remove or erase something from a particular source or record)
• Wipe out (to completely remove or destroy)
• Purge of (to remove something undesirable or harmful)
• Clear away (to remove unwanted elements or clutter)
• Stamp out (to expunge or eliminate something harmful or undesirable)

Idiomatic Expressions:

• Wipe the slate clean (to expunge past mistakes or issues and start fresh)
• Bury the past (to expunge memories or feelings associated with past events)
• Clear the record (to expunge or eliminate a negative entry from official records)
• Start with a clean slate (to expunge past mistakes and begin anew)
• Wash one’s hands of (to expunge responsibility or involvement with something)