Words have their dictionary meanings, but that is not all that they can convey.
Words have the their dictionary meaning, but we have seen propaganda using some words as euphemisms – basically toned-down synonyms – to avoid using stronger words that may be rejected by publications. Those are extremes, but when we want to be accurate, such as in describing a computer program, having closely related words can be used to imply some subtle meanings. For example, Unix processes can be stopped by using the kill command, but it would be inappropriate to use such a term to describe deleting the entity that represents a user.
Suitable terms for deleting entities are:
a.Remove – use when deleting an entity that represents a real-world object or person, such as for users.
b.Delete when removing an entity that only exists within the program.
c.Disable – use when the entity is retained within the program, but not able to be used or not visible.
Using such words subtly conveys information about the entities and their relationship to the real world, and thus the types of information that are needed to be stored with them, but can also indicate their utility. For example, in a game program, a user would be removed, while possessions not needed by their character would be deleted, unless they need to remain in the game for other players to pick up, in which case removed is appropriate. Here we are seeing that the word used sets up player expectations as to what might be available for them to use during the game.