liquidate

[lik-wi-deyt]

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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of liquidate¹

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

Her father ran a haulage business in Strasbourg, France for many years but the company was liquidated in 2020 and had more assets than liabilities at the time.

From BBC

But in mid-2019 he liquidated his assets and fled the country.

From Los Angeles Times

Over five harrowing days last September, they kept her under 24/7 surveillance on Skype, terrified her with threats, and coerced her into liquidating her savings and transferring the money.

From BBC

The administration “appears to be dead set on liquidating our public lands as quickly as possible,” said Drew McConville, senior fellow with the Center for American Progress, a nonprofit.

From Los Angeles Times

The move comes after the company, also known as HBC, liquidated all its stores, citing a shifting retail landscape post-pandemic and US tariffs as insurmountable challenges.

From BBC

Related Words

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