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Synonyms

remove

American  
[ri-moov] / rɪˈmuv /

verb (used with object)

removed, removing
  1. to move from a place or position; take away or off.

    to remove the napkins from the table.

    Synonyms:
    dislodge
    Antonyms:
    leave
  2. to take off or shed (an article of clothing).

    to remove one's jacket.

  3. to move or shift to another place or position; transfer.

    She removed the painting to another wall.

    Synonyms:
    transport, displace
  4. to put out; send away.

    to remove a tenant.

  5. to dismiss or force from a position or office; discharge.

    They removed him for embezzling.

  6. to take away, withdraw, or eliminate.

    to remove the threat of danger.

  7. to get rid of; do away with; put an end to.

    to remove a stain;

    to remove the source of disease.

  8. to kill; assassinate.

    Synonyms:
    murder

verb (used without object)

removed, removing
  1. to move from one place to another, especially to another locality or residence.

    We remove to Newport early in July.

    Antonyms:
    remain
  2. to go away; depart; disappear.

noun

  1. the act of removing.

  2. a removal from one place, as of residence, to another.

  3. the distance by which one person, place, or thing is separated from another.

    to see something at a remove.

  4. a mental distance from the reality of something as a result of psychological detachment or lack of experience.

    to criticize something at a remove.

  5. a degree of difference, as that due to descent, transmission, etc..

    a folk survival, at many removes, of a druidic rite.

  6. a step or degree, as in a graded scale.

  7. British. a promotion of a pupil to a higher class or division at school.

remove British  
/ rɪˈmuːv /

verb

  1. to take away and place elsewhere

  2. to displace (someone) from office; dismiss

  3. to do away with (a grievance, cause of anxiety, etc); abolish

  4. to cause (dirt, stains, or anything unwanted) to disappear; get rid of

  5. euphemistic to assassinate; kill

  6. formal (intr) to change the location of one's home or place of business

    the publishers have removed to Mayfair

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act of removing, esp (formal) a removal of one's residence or place of work

  2. the degree of difference separating one person, thing, or condition from another

    only one remove from madness

  3. (in certain schools) a class or form, esp one for children of about 14 years, designed to introduce them to the greater responsibilities of a more senior position in the school

  4. (at a formal dinner, formerly) a dish to be changed while the rest of the course remains on the table

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • preremove verb (used with object)
  • removability noun
  • removable adjective
  • removably adverb
  • remover noun

Etymology

Origin of remove

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English verb remeven, remefen, remoeven, from Old French remouvoir, from Latin removēre; re-, move

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The BBC understands Karl Turner, the MP for Hull East, had the Labour whip removed over recent comments about colleagues that have been described as "uncollegiate", rather than his criticism of government policy.

From BBC

After Gary Woodland underwent surgery to remove a brain lesion in 2023, he struggled to regain the level that once made him a major champion.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We didn’t remove anyone or stop hiring, but we have fewer reporting lines and fewer meetings,” the company said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Furthermore, he would break/change the terms of the trust by selling the house and effectively removing it from the trust itself.

From MarketWatch

He said removing potential posts at a time when "corridor care and GP queues" are already putting the NHS under pressure, is clearly bad for patients.

From BBC