eliminate

verb

elim·​i·​nate i-ˈli-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce eliminate (audio)
eliminated; eliminating
Synonyms of eliminate

transitive verb

1
a
: to put an end to or get rid of : remove
eliminate errors
b
: to remove from consideration
eliminate someone as a suspect
c
: to remove from further competition by defeating
the team was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs
2
: to expel (waste) from the living body
3
mathematics : to cause to disappear by combining two or more equations
eliminate an unknown quantity

intransitive verb

: to expel waste from the living body
eliminative
i-ˈli-mə-ˌnā-tiv How to pronounce eliminate (audio)
adjective
eliminator
i-ˈli-mə-ˌnā-tər How to pronounce eliminate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of eliminate

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Examples of eliminate in a Sentence

Doctors seek to eliminate the causes of the epidemic. The body naturally eliminates waste products. The company plans to eliminate more than 2,000 jobs in the coming year. She's trying to eliminate fatty foods from her diet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Not long after, the school system, which educates more than 150,000 students, changed its admissions practices to eliminate an extra in-person exam. — Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026 The project will eliminate some parking along Van Nuys Boulevard and construction will affect traffic in the area. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026 Although a version of psychopathy was included in prior editions of the DSM, more recent editions have eliminated the diagnosis. — David Dematteo, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026 There never was a better moment for a movement aimed at resisting fascism, preventing war and eliminating poverty at home. — Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eliminate

Word History

Etymology

Latin eliminatus, past participle of eliminare, from e- + limin-, limen threshold

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of eliminate was in 1628

Rhymes for eliminate

See All Rhymes for eliminate

Browse Nearby Words

eliminable
eliminate
elimination
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Eliminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eliminate. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

eliminate

verb
elim·​i·​nate i-ˈlim-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce eliminate (audio)
eliminated; eliminating
1
a
: to get rid of : remove
b
: to remove from further competition by defeating
2
: to expel from the living body
eliminative
-ˌnāt-iv How to pronounce eliminate (audio)
adjective
eliminator
-ˌnāt-ər How to pronounce eliminate (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

eliminate

transitive verb
elim·​i·​nate -ˌnāt How to pronounce eliminate (audio)
eliminated; eliminating
: to expel (as waste) from the living body
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