smoke out

verb

smoked out; smoking out; smokes out

transitive verb

1
: to drive out by or as if by smoke
2
: to cause to be made public

Examples of smoke out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
In the government’s version, the conspiracy was no more than a ploy designed to smoke out potential rebels. Ivan Briscoe, Foreign Affairs, 2 July 2019 The wind ripples at the windows, which are down a few centimetres to let the smoke out. David Szalay, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024 Though Charles moves into Pacific View to smoke out the thief, Schur presents an ecosystem of distinct characters who have made fulfilling lives for themselves in this building. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 21 Nov. 2024 Yes, but: Negotiating texts at this stage often leaves all parties unhappy but may smoke out specific commitments for the next draft. Axios, 21 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for smoke out 

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of smoke out was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near smoke out

Cite this Entry

“Smoke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smoke%20out. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on smoke out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!