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riddance

riddance

36 6.8
The act of getting rid of someone or something unwanted
  • noun
  • /ˈrɪdəns/
translation icon : eliminación
  • "Good riddance to bad rubbish," he muttered, using his mother's favorite phrase.
  • good riddance

He just died of he just died and good riddance.

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Examples

  • But, so far as anyone can reasonably predict, the draft itself is gone forever, and good riddance.

    Academic text (2003)
  • I was so sorry to hear about Steve, but I say, good riddance.

  • For the government official who committed these papers to the deep, it was good riddance and a relief.

    Academic text (1999)
  • So good riddance to bad garbage then, right?

  • Good riddance to bad rubbish!

  • "Good riddance," is what Rita had to say about the men who had been in her life.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Either way, you've got to understand that if he was not treating you the way that you deserve, good riddance, plain and simple.

  • As for his stepfather, Armando, he would probably say good riddance, one less mouth to feed.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • "All right, good riddance," Grandfather Darnell told him bitterly the day he left.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • After years of frustration with the old system, the company finally achieved good riddance to outdated practices.

Synonyms

withdrawal
vsriddance
281 4.1

Removing people or things from a place

is narrower, stressing removal because the thing is unwanted rather than neutral
removal
vsriddance
106 2.0

Taking something or someone away from a place

is limited to acts done because the person or thing is unwanted
elimination
vsriddance
77 3.5

The act of removing something you do not need

focuses on removing things specifically because they are unwanted
disposal
vsriddance
54 3.0

The act of getting rid of something you do not want

is broader, applying to any unwanted thing not only waste items
expulsion
vsriddance
39 6.1

A forced removal of a person from a place or group

can be less forceful, covering any removal of unwanted items or people
abandonment
vsriddance
26 3.6

Leaving someone or something and not coming back

involves actively getting rid because it is unwanted rather than leaving it behind
throwing away
vsriddance
26 2.6

Getting rid of things you do not want

covers the same idea but also applies to unwanted people or things
ejection
vsriddance
23 5.5

Forcing someone or something out of a place quickly

is broader and can include nonforced or voluntary ways to get rid of unwanted things
ouster
vsriddance
19 7.4

Removing someone from a place like a home by force or law

is more general and includes nonofficial ways to rid oneself of unwanted things
purge
vsriddance
15 7.8

A sudden removal of people from an organization for political reasons

is more general, not limited to sudden political situations
dismissal
vsriddance
7 3.2

Giving people permission to leave a room or meeting

focuses instead on the motive of removing something because it is unwanted
housecleaning
vsriddance
  • Literature
4 4.9

Removing unwanted people or practices to improve an organization

is literal too, covering everyday acts of getting rid of unwanted things
ousting
vsriddance
1 7.0

To remove someone from a job or role, often by force

is broader, covering removal for the simple reason of being unwanted
sacking
vsriddance
  • UK
1 4.4

Losing a job because you are fired

is wider, not limited to employment but any unwanted removal
remotion
vsriddance
  • Archaic
9.9

An action that takes something away

adds the idea that the object removed is unwanted
dismission
vsriddance
8.1

The official act of removing someone from a job or position

is broader and includes informal or nonofficial ways of getting rid of things

How Complete

eradication
19 6.8
riddance
36 6.8
elimination
77 3.5
removal
106 2.0

Surface Forms

riddance singular
riddances plural

Morphology

riddance = rid (transparent) = rid + ance

The noun is a straightforward nominalization of the verb 'rid' with the suffix '-ance', meaning the act or result of ridding.

Etymology

Riddance comes from the simple English verb rid, which means 'to free' or 'to get rid of', plus the noun ending -ance. So riddance is the act or result of getting rid of something unwanted.