To expunge something means to completely remove or erase it. Here’s a breakdown of the word’s meaning:
- Verb: Expunge is used as a verb, meaning an action you take.
- Formal: It’s a more formal word than simply “delete” or “erase.”
- Completely Remove: Expunging something implies removing it entirely, not just hiding it.
Here are some contexts where you might use expunge:
- Removing information from a document: “The editor expunged the offensive remarks from the article.”
- Deleting a record: “After several years of good behavior, he petitioned to have his criminal record expunged.”
- Trying to forget something: “She tried to expunge the memory of the accident from her mind.”
Legal context: Expungement is also a legal term referring to the process of officially erasing a criminal record. This doesn’t always mean the record is completely gone, but it can make it difficult to access.
