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

Example Sentences

The private credit giant’s stock fell 6% Thursday after it liquidated assets worth $1.4 billion in order to redeem investors wanting out of its Capital Corp II fund.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, Ledn recently had to liquidate about one-quarter of the loans meant to back the deal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Strategy Executive Chair Michael Saylor on Tuesday threw cold water on claims that the company would liquidate its Bitcoin holdings if the flagship cryptocurrency continues to plummet.

From Barron's

But Ledn recently had to liquidate about one-quarter of the loans meant to back the deal, a person familiar with the transaction said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Were these gains treated as such, taxpayers—including many middle-class families—would have to liquidate assets whenever tax season rolled around to pay their bills.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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