expunge
ek-SPUNJ
/ɪkˈspʌndʒ/
To erase or remove completely (something unwanted or unpleasant).
In law, it specifically refers to the destruction or sealing of a criminal record so it is as if the crime never happened.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'expungere', which meant to 'prick out' or 'mark for deletion.' In ancient times, you would use a sharp tool to prick a mark next to a name on a wax tablet to show it should be removed.
Word relationships
- obliterate: Obliterate implies violent destruction; expunge is a more clinical, administrative removal.
- record: To record is to preserve information; to expunge is to delete it.
Commonly confused with
- extinguish: Extinguish is usually for fires or hopes; expunge is for written records or marks.
Word family
- expungement (noun): The process of expunging a record.
Collocations
- expunge a record
- expunge a memory
- expunge from the record
Example sentences
- "After five years of clean living, he applied to have his juvenile record expunged." Legal right.
- "The dictator tried to expunge all mention of his predecessor from the history books." Historical context.
Memory hook
Expunge: Like using a 'sponge' to 'ex' (exit) the data. Prick it out and make it disappear.
When not to use
Don't use for cleaning a surface; use 'wipe' or 'scrub.' Expunge is for records, memories, or names.
Fun facts
- The root 'pungere' also gives us 'punctuation' and 'puncture.'
Related words
Also appears in
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