erase
Make it vanish
Erase means to remove something, typically marks from a surface.
You erase pencil with a rubber eraser, chalk from a blackboard, files from a hard drive.
The word extends to removing anything as if by rubbing out: erase the memory, erase all doubt.
To erase someone from history is to eliminate their record or legacy entirely.
Remove or erase
- removeTake something away
- expungeDelete entirely, officially
- effaceEliminate from view
- exciseRemove by cutting
obliterate · wipe · rub out · scratch out · cross out · strike · cancel · clear
Without legal effect
- nullifyMake of no effect
- annulDeclare legally void
- revokeOfficially cancel authorization
- cancelRevoke or terminate
negate · rescind · quash · overturn · reverse · retract · repeal · abrogate
Remove or erase
- backspaceKeyboard's leftward eraser
- clearWithout obstruction or fog
- undoReverse a prior action
- ctrl-zKeyboard revert command
format · overwrite · shred · uninstall · reset · factory reset · recycle bin · trash
Destroy all traces of
- annihilateDestroy completely, leaving nothing
- eliminateRemove completely
- exterminateDestroy completely, every one
- wipe outDestroy completely or tumble
extirpate · demolish · raze · decimate · devastate · liquidate · purge · abolish
Fail to recall
- amnesiaPathological loss of recall
- suppressForcibly put an end to
- repressHold back forcibly
- block outConceal by covering
oblivion · blank · memory loss · dissociation · unlearn · fade · let go · move on
Neutralize magnetic properties
- demagnetizeRemove magnetic properties
- magnetic tapeCoated strip storing data
- VHSAnalog tape format
- cassetteMagnetic audio cartridge
floppy disk · hard drive · tape head · magnetic field · data wipe · audio tape · video tape · analog recording
delete
Remove or erase
excise · obliterate · wipe · rub out · scratch out · cross out · strike · cancel · clear · blank out
void
Without legal effect
cancel · negate · rescind · quash · overturn · reverse · retract · repeal · abrogate · vacate
delete
Remove or erase
ctrl-z · format · overwrite · shred · uninstall · reset · factory reset · recycle bin · trash · data destruction
obliterate
Destroy all traces of
- annihilateDestroy completely, leaving nothing
- eliminateRemove completely
- exterminateDestroy completely, every one
wipe out · extirpate · demolish · raze · decimate · devastate · liquidate · purge · abolish · vanquish
forget
Fail to recall
block out · oblivion · blank · memory loss · dissociation · unlearn · fade · let go · move on · closure
degauss
Neutralize magnetic properties
- demagnetizeRemove magnetic properties
- magnetic tapeCoated strip storing data
- VHSAnalog tape format
cassette · floppy disk · hard drive · tape head · magnetic field · data wipe · audio tape · video tape · analog recording
- blot outdelete, wipe out, cross out, scratch out, efface
- deletiondelete, cross out, strike out, strikethrough, scratch out
- Destroydestroy, annihilate, obliterate, demolish, devastate
- office supplies verbsstaple, clip, punch, tape, file
- removalremove, elimination, delete, removing, deleting
- block outcover, hide, mask, screen, shroud
- eraser dustResidue from removing marks
- dry eraseRemovable without water
- pencil eraserTool for removing graphite
- dry erase markersErasable whiteboard writing implements
- dry erase boardErasable writing surface
- dry-erase markerWipeable ink pen
eraser, eradicate, erased, erasing, erases, erasers, erasure, erasable, unerasable