eliminate
12 synonyms for eliminate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To completely remove or get rid of something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use eliminate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
eliminate the risk
eliminate a competitor
eliminate waste
Etymology
From Latin ēlīminō, literally "to turn out of doors," from ē- ("out") plus līmen ("threshold").
Full origin of eliminate →Frequently asked questions
What does “eliminate” mean?
The word “eliminate” means to completely remove or get rid of something. In plain terms, to get rid of something completely, or to knock someone out of a competition.
How do you pronounce “eliminate”?
“Eliminate” is pronounced ih-LIHM-ih-nayt (/ɪˈlɪm.ɪ.neɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “eliminate” in a sentence?
Here is “eliminate” used in a sentence: “The new filter eliminates almost all bacteria from the water.”
What part of speech is “eliminate”?
“Eliminate” is a verb.
Where does the word “eliminate” come from?
The word “eliminate” comes from Latin. From Latin ēlīminō, literally "to turn out of doors," from ē- ("out") plus līmen ("threshold").
Is “eliminate” a common word?
“Eliminate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “eliminate” have?
“Eliminate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to completely remove or get rid of something.
What is the difference between eliminate and remove?
Eliminate means to get rid of something completely, so that none of it remains, while remove simply means to take something away from a place or position. You can remove an item and put it elsewhere, but to eliminate it is to do away with it entirely.
What is the difference between eliminate and reduce?
Eliminate means to remove something completely so that it no longer exists, whereas reduce means to make something smaller or less without getting rid of it entirely. Eliminating a cost removes it altogether; reducing a cost only makes it lower.
