Synonyms

blot out

Idioms

Obliterate, wipe out of existence or memory, as in At least one Indian nation was blotted out as the pioneers moved west, or The trauma of the accident blotted out all her memory of recent events. This idiom, first recorded in 1516, uses the verb to blot in the sense of making something illegible by spotting or staining it with ink. The New Testament has it (Acts 3:19): “Repent ye ... that your sins may be blotted out.”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

blot out

That did not blot out the fear in many fields that raids could happen at any moment.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 30, 2025

As the moon lines up precisely between Earth and the sun, it will blot out all but the sun’s outer rim.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 10, 2023

The smoke was starting to blot out the sun.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 14, 2023

This is a dark stain on the profession, but it should not completely blot out the light.

From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2023

He forced himself to listen to the sermon just to blot out the picture of Major and Hollis.

From "The Contender" by Robert Lipsyte

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023