dispose of

To remove something you no longer want or need, often by throwing it away.

• We need to dispose of the rubbish.
• She disposed of the old furniture.
• How should I dispose of used cooking oil?

How to use it: dispose of something (Please dispose of these batteries safely.)

Similar words: get rid of, discard, throw away

Opposites: keep

Common phrases: dispose of something, dispose of waste

To sell or give property to someone else.

• He disposed of his shares last month.
• The council will dispose of the land by auction.
• She disposed of the property to a relative.

How to use it: dispose of something to someone (The company disposed of its land to a local developer.)

Similar words: sell, transfer, part with

Opposites: acquire

Common phrases: dispose of property, dispose of assets

To deal with a problem, threat, or task completely so that it no longer needs attention.

• We quickly disposed of that problem.
• The team disposed of the remaining tasks before lunch.
• Her explanation disposed of their objections.

How to use it: dispose of something (The report disposed of their main objection.)

Similar words: deal with, resolve, settle

Common phrases: dispose of something, dispose of a threat, dispose of a dispute

To put things in a neat or planned order.

• They disposed of the furniture neatly.
• She disposed of the flowers along the table.
• The servants had disposed of the chairs in a circle.

How to use it: dispose of something (The attendants disposed of the chairs in rows.)

Similar words: arrange, position, set out

Common phrases: dispose of something, dispose of objects

To have something available to use or control.

• The prince disposed of great wealth.
• The general disposed of several hundred troops.
• She disposed of enough funds to complete the work.

How to use it: dispose of something (The commander disposed of considerable forces.)

Similar words: have at your disposal, command, possess

Opposites: lack

Common phrases: dispose of resources, dispose of funds