eliminate

[ih-lim-uh-neyt]

verb (used with object)

eliminated, eliminating 

1. to remove or get rid of, especially as being in some way undesirable.

   to eliminate risks; to eliminate hunger.

   Synonyms: annihilate, exterminate, erase, eradicate, abolish, banish
   Antonyms: invite, get, obtain

2. to omit, especially as being unimportant or irrelevant; leave out.

   I have eliminated all statistical tables, which are of interest only to the specialist.

   Synonyms: exclude, except, delete, drop
   Antonyms: incorporate, admit, accept, include

3. to remove from further consideration or competition, especially by defeating in a contest.

4. to eradicate or kill.

   to eliminate the enemy.

5. Physiology.,  to void or expel from an organism.

6. Mathematics.,  to remove (a quantity) from an equation by elimination.

eliminate

/ ɪˈlɪmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to remove or take out; get rid of

2. to reject as trivial or irrelevant; omit from consideration

3. to remove (a competitor, team, etc) from a contest, usually by defeat

4. slang,  to murder in a cold-blooded manner

5. physiol to expel (waste matter) from the body

6. maths to remove (an unknown variable) from two or more simultaneous equations

Usage

Eliminate is sometimes wrongly used to talk about avoiding the repetition of something undesirable: we must prevent (not eliminate ) further mistakes of this kind

Other Word Forms

• eliminability noun
• eliminative adjective
• noneliminative adjective
• preeliminate verb (used with object)
• uneliminated adjective
• well-eliminated adjective
• eliminant noun
• eliminator noun
• eliminable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eliminate¹

First recorded in 1560–70 and in 1915–20 eliminate for def. 4; from Latin ēlīminātus “turned out of doors” (past participle of ēlīmināre ), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” + līmin-, stem of līmen “threshold” + -ātus adjective suffix; e- ¹, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of eliminate¹

C16: from Latin ēlīmināre to turn out of the house, from e- out + līmen threshold

Example Sentences

However, in cancer care these procedures typically require high doses of chemotherapy and radiation to eliminate the original blood and immune system, which often causes serious side effects.

Read more on Science Daily

A good VPN provider will take technical measures to limit the slowdown as much as possible, but it won’t eliminate it.

Read more on Salon

AI users in the Salesforce survey said the technology gave them better personalized product recommendations, eliminated tedious product research, and helped them compare prices and keep to their budgets.

Read more on Barron's

AI users in the Salesforce survey said the technology gave them better personalized product recommendations, eliminated tedious product research, and helped them compare prices and keep to their budgets.

Read more on Barron's

Computer and printer maker HP announced Tuesday a sweeping restructuring plan that will eliminate about 10 percent of its workforce globally as the company pivots toward artificial intelligence to boost efficiency.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• cancel 
• defeat 
• dispose of 
• disqualify 
• eradicate 
• erase 
• exclude 
• get rid of 
• ignore 
• knock out 
• oust 
• phase out 
• stamp out 
• waive 
• wipe out