eliminate

eliminate — verb

1. to make something unwanted or unnecessary disappear completely, so that it no lo

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make something unwanted or unnecessary disappear completely, so that it no longer exists or causes trouble

例句

The new software helped the company eliminate errors in its billing system.

eliminate + noun phrase (errors) for removing problems

Ryo eliminated sugar from his diet after his doctor warned him about diabetes.

eliminate + noun + from + noun phrase

同義詞
  • remove

    more general; can mean simply taking something away without necessarily destroying it

  • get rid of

    more informal; focuses on disposal rather than complete destruction

  • eradicate

    stronger and more formal; suggests destroying something down to the root, often used for diseases or social problems

反義詞
  • introduce

    to bring something in as a new feature or element

  • retain

    to keep something rather than discard it

文法句型

eliminate + noun phrase

eliminate + noun phrase + from + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used with nouns that refer to problems, errors, waste, risks, or unnecessary items. The subject is typically a person, an organization, or a measure (e.g., a policy, a piece of software).

常見錯誤

❌I eliminated the book from the shelf to make room.
✅I removed the book from the shelf to make room.
💡'eliminate' means to get rid of something completely or permanently, not just to move it elsewhere.
❌The medicine eliminated my headache for an hour.
✅The medicine relieved my headache for an hour.
💡for temporary relief, use 'relieve' or 'reduce'; 'eliminate' suggests the headache went away entirely.

2. to beat an opposing player or team in a contest, ending their chance to take par

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to beat an opposing player or team in a contest, ending their chance to take part in later stages of the event

例句

Our school team was eliminated in the first round of the national tournament.

passive: be eliminated in [round]

Nellie eliminated the defending champion in the semi-finals with a clever strategy.

active: person eliminates + opponent + in [round]

同義詞
  • knock out

    informal; specifically used in tournament-style competitions

  • defeat

    more general; does not necessarily imply removal from further rounds

反義詞
  • qualify for

    to earn the right to enter or continue in a competition

文法句型

eliminate + noun phrase

be eliminated + from + noun phrase

be eliminated + in/by + noun phrase

用法筆記

Very common in passive constructions ('be eliminated'). The agent (by-phrase) is often left out when the competition context is already clear. The preposition 'from' introduces the competition; 'in' or 'at' introduces the stage.

常見錯誤

❌The team eliminated the championship.
✅The team was eliminated from the championship.
💡the team is the one that loses, not the competition itself.

3. to murder someone, especially a political opponent, rival, or person considered

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

to murder someone, especially a political opponent, rival, or person considered a threat, often in a planned or secret way

例句

The secret police were ordered to eliminate anyone who spoke against the government.

euphemistic register: eliminate [people] for murder

In the crime novel, the detective discovers who the gang leader wanted to eliminate.

同義詞
  • kill

    neutral and direct; covers all causes of death

  • murder

    specific to intentional, unlawful killing

  • execute

    implies killing by official order or legal sentence

反義詞
  • spare

    to choose not to kill someone when one has the power to do so

文法句型

eliminate + noun phrase (person/rival/opponent)

用法筆記

This sense has a euphemistic tone — the speaker avoids directly saying 'kill' or 'murder.' It is commonly found in political reporting, crime fiction, and espionage contexts. Not used for killing in self-defence or by accident.

常見錯誤

❌The soldier eliminated the enemy in battle.
✅The soldier killed the enemy in battle.
💡'eliminate' sounds euphemistic and detached; direct combat is better described with 'kill' or 'shoot.'