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.

---

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

---

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

A Cambodian bank founded by accused scam boss Chen Zhi, who has been indicted by the United States over a multibillion-dollar fraud and extradited to China, was ordered liquidated Thursday, Cambodia's central bank said.

From Barron's

Edge rusher Damon Wilson II responded to Georgia suing him for a ‘liquidated damage fee’ of $390,000 after he transferred to Missouri by filing a countersuit.

From Los Angeles Times

Adding liquidated damage fee clauses to NIL contracts became all the rage in 2025, a year that will be remembered as the first time players have been paid directly by schools.

From Los Angeles Times

Investors who requested redemptions in late 2024 received about two-thirds of their money in the form of shares in a liquidating investment vehicle known as a side pocket.

From The Wall Street Journal

She said she had experienced financial difficulties that led to her liquidating her company in late 2022 - before opening a new one in a new name.

From BBC

Related Words

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