to delete

Examples

• All

• You would be well within your rights to delete the photos.

  Two Hot Takes

• Who deleted the data?

  Dawn of the Dead (1978)

• You have to delete that.

  Rat Race (2001)

• To delete this message, press two.

  People Like Us (2012)

• So press save and let's delete all of the other products.

• Yes, I, uh, accidentally deleted an email.

  Ezra (2024)

• Why are you deleting all your pictures?

  #No_Filter (2022)

• No, I was just thinking of deleting a bunch of photos off my phone.

  I Used to Be Funny (2024)

• Message deleted.

  Blue Like Jazz (2012)

• To delete all old messages, press delete.

Synonyms

R

to remove

vsto delete

∞ 1.5

To move something or someone away from a place

is specifically about removing informational content rather than physical removal

E

to eliminate

vsto delete

• NSFW

502 3.4

Remove or kill something completely so it is gone

is the simple deletion of information without implying physical destruction

W

to wipe

vsto delete

• Specialized

308 3.6

To erase all data on a computer or phone so it cannot be recovered

is the general act of removing information without stressing secure erasure

E

to erase

vsto delete

144 1.6

Remove marks, writing, or digital files so they are no longer visible

is the common neutral term for removing information in general

D

to discard

vsto delete

130 2.7

To throw something away because you no longer want or need it

is focused on erasing information rather than disposing of physical items

P

to purge

vsto delete

49 6.3

To remove unwanted substances, things, or people by cleaning

is a plain removal of information without the cleansing sense

T

to trash

vsto delete

• US

34 1.0

To throw away something you no longer want

applies to removing data, not physical disposal or trashing objects

K

to kill

vsto delete

• Jargon

28 7.2

Remove a part of a text so it is not published

is the broader action of removing information beyond editorial marking

C

to clear

vsto delete

• Specialized

24 4.9

To remove stored information from a device

focuses simply on removing information rather than resetting a system

E

to expunge

vsto delete

21 8.8

To remove all signs of something like a record or memory so it cannot be found

is the neutral action without the extra sense of moral removal

U

to unwrite

vsto delete

9.7

To remove text from paper or a screen

refers more broadly to removing information rather than undoing a written record

D

to del

vsto delete

• Informal

8.4

To remove something from a computer, especially files or text

is the full neutral verb for removing information in any context

Antonyms

C

to create

∞ 1.0

To make something new that does not exist yet

A

to add

∞ 1.0

Include something extra to make something larger or better

Compounds

C

Ctrl-Alt-Delete

• Specialized

4.2

A keyboard command using the Control, Alt and Delete keys to open system options or stop a frozen program

How Complete

to wipe

• Specialized

308 3.6

to delete

287 2.0

to remove

∞ 1.5

to hide

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Etymology