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
Violating Wisconsin’s one-party consent law can result in civil penalties, including actual or liquidated damages of at least $1,000, punitive damages and reimbursement for the victim’s attorney fees and litigation costs, according to state law.
—
Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
The business started by brothers Erick and Drew Demgen alongside longtime friend Lou Pacenta will liquidate its assets and shut down.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Among the shoe firms that filed for bankruptcy this year are sneaker reseller Soleply, which sells sneakers from brands such as Yeezy, Asics, Nike, Jordan and New Balance, and children’s shoe retailer Amiga Shoes, which filed a Chapter 7 petition to liquidate.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Banks said, ‘Your client could liquidate and sell his position.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for liquidate
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Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 23 Oct. 2025
The business started by brothers Erick and Drew Demgen alongside longtime friend Lou Pacenta will liquidate its assets and shut down.
—Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
Among the shoe firms that filed for bankruptcy this year are sneaker reseller Soleply, which sells sneakers from brands such as Yeezy, Asics, Nike, Jordan and New Balance, and children’s shoe retailer Amiga Shoes, which filed a Chapter 7 petition to liquidate.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Banks said, ‘Your client could liquidate and sell his position.
—Kim Velsey, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for liquidate
Cite this Entry
“Liquidate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/liquidate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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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