raze

verb

ˈrāz 

razed; razing

transitive verb

1

: to destroy to the ground : demolish

raze an old building

2

a

: to scrape, cut, or shave off

b

archaic : erase

razer noun

Synonyms

• annihilate
• cream
• decimate
• demolish
• desolate
• destroy
• devastate
• do in
• extinguish
• nuke
• pull down
• pulverize
• rub out
• ruin
• shatter
• smash
• tear down
• total
• vaporize
• waste
• wrack
• wreck

Examples of raze in a Sentence

an entire city block razed by a terrible fire

the developer razed the old school building and built a high-rise condominium complex

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, the pitch is being razed to build a school, something none of these midlife men can really complain about, even if some of them mutter mutinously under their breath. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 21 May 2024

The old Villa Capri has since been razed, but his memories stand strong. —Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of rase

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

raze

verb

ˈrāz 

razed; razing

: to destroy completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces : demolish

razed the building