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

However, he does not want to spend all of his savings or liquidate his small home.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

Since then, it had consistently told investors the Ares fund would liquidate on June 30, 2025.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

The dissolution order from the Tokyo district court was meant to strip the church of its tax-exempt status and require it to liquidate its assets, but still allow it to operate in Japan.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Selling accelerated last week when alternative asset management behemoth Blue Owl Capital said it would liquidate $1.4 billion in assets to pay out unhappy investors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Her only relative was a niece in Boston, who arranged for a local lawyer to liquidate Mrs. Garner’s property.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead

Related Words

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