liquidate
verb
liq·ui·date
ˈli-kwə-ˌdāt 
liquidated; liquidating
1
a(1)
: to determine by agreement or by litigation the precise amount of (indebtedness, damages, or accounts)
(2)
: to determine the liabilities (see liability sense 2) and apportion assets toward discharging the indebtedness of
b
: to settle (a debt) by payment or other settlement
liquidate a loan
2
archaic
: to make clear
3
: to do away with especially by killing
was hired to liquidate a certain businessman
4
: to convert (assets) into cash
liquidated his securities
1
: to liquidate debts, damages, or accounts
2
: to determine liabilities (see liability sense 2) and apportion assets toward discharging indebtedness
Examples of liquidate in a Sentence
The owners were ordered to liquidate the company and pay their creditors.
The company is liquidating its assets.
The owners were ordered to liquidate.
The film is about a professional killer who's hired to liquidate a powerful businessman.
Recent Examples on the Web
Bian’s big short comes with significant risk, and he has been forced to liquidate some positions at a loss in a volatile silver market.
—
Alfred Cang, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
In general, 1-ounce silver coins and bars carry the highest premiums, while 100-ounce bars, though cheaper per ounce, can be harder to liquidate quickly since fewer buyers want to purchase such large quantities at once.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
That’s inventory that would have otherwise gone to landfill or been liquidated.
—Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
The Saks Off 5th website is going to be liquidated or potentially sold and the vast majority of the off-pricer’s stores are going to be shuttered.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for liquidate
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Alfred Cang, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026
In general, 1-ounce silver coins and bars carry the highest premiums, while 100-ounce bars, though cheaper per ounce, can be harder to liquidate quickly since fewer buyers want to purchase such large quantities at once.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
That’s inventory that would have otherwise gone to landfill or been liquidated.
—Sarah Jones, Sourcing Journal, 3 Feb. 2026
The Saks Off 5th website is going to be liquidated or potentially sold and the vast majority of the off-pricer’s stores are going to be shuttered.
—Evan Clark, Footwear News, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for liquidate
Cite this Entry
“Liquidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liquidate. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
liquidate
verb
liq·ui·date
ˈlik-wə-ˌdāt
liquidated; liquidating
1
: pay off sense 1
liquidate a debt
2
: to put an end to : do away with
Legal Definition
liquidate
verb
liq·ui·date
ˈli-kwə-ˌdāt
liquidated; liquidating
1
: to determine by agreement or litigation the precise amount of
also
: to settle (a debt) by payment or other adjustment
2
a
: to determine the liabilities and apportion the assets of especially in bankruptcy or dissolution
liquidate a corporation
compare bankruptcy
b
: to convert (as assets) into cash
liquidate an estate
: to liquidate something (as a corporation)
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