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eliminate

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ɪˈɫɪməˌneɪt// UK //ɪlˈɪmɪnˌeɪt// elim·i·nate Academic General-service Slang

v. to completely remove or get rid of something that is not wanted. You use this when you want to say something is gone forever.

v. to remove or get rid of something completely; to exclude from further consideration or participation. Transitive — requires a direct object.


SIMPLE

The team worked hard to eliminate all the errors in the report.

CONTEXTUAL

The new security system was designed to eliminate the risk of unauthorized access to the building.

COMPLEX

By refining the manufacturing process, the company managed to eliminate unnecessary waste and significantly reduce its carbon footprint over the last fiscal year.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Latin ēlīminātus, perfect passive participle of ēlīminō (“to turn out of doors, banish”), from ē- + līmen (“a threshold”, līmin- in compounds) + -ō (first conjugation verb-forming suffix) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), akin to Latin līmes (“a boundary”); see also English limit and limen.

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. In sports or competitions, it is often used in the passive voice ('to be eliminated').

Pitfall

The problem was eliminated from the system.The problem was eliminated.While you can eliminate something 'from' a list, the verb itself implies total removal; adding 'from the system' is often redundant unless specifying a subset.

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