liquidate

American  

[lik-wi-deyt] / ˈlɪk wɪˌdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

liquidated, liquidating

1. to settle or pay (a debt).

   to liquidate a claim.

   Synonyms:

   cancel, erase, clear, discharge

2. to reduce (accounts) to order; determine the amount of (indebtedness or damages).

3. to convert (inventory, securities, or other assets) into cash.

4. to get rid of, especially by killing.

   to liquidate the enemies of the regime.

5. to break up or do away with.

   to liquidate a partnership.

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verb (used without object)

liquidated, liquidating

1. to liquidate debts or accounts; go into liquidation.

liquidate British  

/ ˈlɪkwɪˌdeɪt /

verb

1. 1. to settle or pay off (a debt, claim, etc)

   2. to determine by litigation or agreement the amount of (damages, indebtedness, etc)

2. 1. to terminate the operations of (a commercial firm, bankrupt estate, etc) by assessment of liabilities and appropriation of assets for their settlement

   2. (of a commercial firm, etc) to terminate operations in this manner

3. (tr) to convert (assets) into cash

4. (tr) to eliminate or kill

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Other Word Forms

• nonliquidating
  adjective
• preliquidate
  verb (used with object)
• reliquidate
  verb
• unliquidated
  adjective
• unliquidating
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of liquidate

1565–75; 1920–25 liquidate for def. 4; < Late Latin liquidātus, past participle of liquidāre to melt, make clear. See liquid, -ate ¹

Explanation

If you liquidate something, you get rid of it. When a huge retailer has to close all of its stores, it liquidates everything, meaning the inventory and even the shelves and display cases are sold to bargain-hunters, to raise money for the company to pay its debts. Liquidate comes from the Latin liquidare, meaning “to melt,” or “to clarify.” A recipe might ask you to liquefy the butter, not liquidate it, because liquidate has to do with assets. To liquidate is to convert stocks or goods into cash by selling them, to finish business neatly, and to clear debts. If you liquidate your old baseball card collection, you will have money to put in your college fund.

Example Sentences

Appeared in the May 15, 2026, print edition as 'First Brands Pushed to Liquidate'.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Liquidate at present prices, the lowest in the history of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange?

From Time Magazine Archive

Hoover passes a stern judgment on Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon, whose only formula, says Hoover, was: "Liquidate labor, liquidate stocks, liquidate the farmers, liquidate real estate."

From Time Magazine Archive

Liquidate a debt with water is really good.

From The Truth About Tristrem Varick A Novel by Saltus, Edgar

Related Words

• abolish
• annul
• cancel
• eliminate
• exterminate
• get rid of
• wipe out