All Definitions for Rid
Below are all the dictionary definitions of rid:
1(also reflexive) Followed by of: to free (oneself or someone, or a place) from an annoyance or hindrance.
2(also reflexive) Followed by away, from, or out of: to remove (oneself or someone, or something, that is annoying, troublesome, or unwanted).
3(now only reflexive) Often followed by from, of, or out of: to free or release, or to rescue or save, (oneself or someone, or something).
4As the second word in a compound: synonym of ridden (“full of
5Also, dominated, oppressed, or plagued by”).
6(chiefly US, regional, rare) Often followed by up: to put (a place, such as a room or a table) in order
7To clear, to tidy.
8Loose earth, rubble, etc., on the surface of a quarry which must be removed before digging can begin
9Rid-work.
10(archaic) To clear (a place or way)
11Especially, to clear (land) of trees, undergrowth, etc.
12(archaic) Sometimes followed by away: to destroy or kill (someone).
13(archaic) Sometimes followed by up: to remove obstacles or refuse from (a place)
14To clean, to clear out
15Specifically, to clear or empty (the stomach).
16(archaic) (Cheshire) Followed by up: to eradicate (something)
17To root out, to uproot.
18(archaic) (Shropshire) Sometimes followed by away or off: to complete or get through (a task, or work).
19(obsolete) To dismiss (someone) who has attended on a person
20(reflexive) to remove (oneself) from a person's presence after attending to them.
21(obsolete) To settle (a disagreement).
22(obsolete) (also reflexive) Followed by of: to deprive (oneself or someone) of something
23To strip.
24(obsolete) (rare) To get away from or get out of (a place)
25To escape.
26(archaic) To clear land or some other place.
27(archaic) (West Midlands) To clear or empty the stomach
28Also, to clear the throat.
29(obsolete, Northern England) Of work: to be completed.
30Chiefly of a place: which has been ridded (etymology 1, sense 1.4.1) or cleared
31Rid-up.
32Progress which has been made
33Also, speed.
34Only in well-rid: of a horse: ridden.
35Acronym of recognition, intrusion and distraction, three reasons why a lifeguard may fail to notice a person drowning: (a) they may fail to recognise the instinctive drowning response
36(b) they may have additional duties that intrude on lifeguarding
37(c) they may be distracted. [The act of recognizing or the condition of being recognized (matching a current observation with a memory of a prior observation of the same entity).]
About antonyms for rid
Finding the right antonym for rid helps writers create contrast, clarify meaning, and add depth to their work. Defined as "(also reflexive) Followed by of: to free (oneself or someone, or a place) from an annoyance or hindrance.", rid has 0 opposite words that can be used to express contrasting ideas.
When choosing an antonym, consider the connotation, formality level, and audience. Some alternatives work better in casual conversation while others shine in academic or professional writing. For example, using a more formal antonym in a business email can elevate your tone, while a casual antonym might feel more natural in creative writing or dialogue.
It is also worth noting that not all antonyms are perfectly interchangeable. The context of your sentence, the surrounding words, and the intended emotional impact all play a role in selecting the best opposite word. The list above provides the most common and useful antonyms for rid, but always read your sentence aloud to ensure the chosen word flows naturally.