1
as in to destroy
to destroy (as a building) completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces
developers demolished the old warehouse to make room for the new shopping mall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to ruin
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
most of the buildings in the town had been demolished in the bombing raid
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shatter
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive
terrorists used a powerful pipe bomb to demolish the concrete wall around the compound
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demolish
But everyday people expressed their political outrage time and again, throwing rocks at and demolishing the houses of government officials, torching the king’s ships and forts and, eventually, marching to battle.
—
Robert Parkinson,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
During that 25-day closure, PennDOT crews will be demolishing the existing Commercial Street Bridge and sliding in the new bridge, which has been constructed alongside the Parkway East outside of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel.
—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The range-topping version of the eighth-generation ‘Vette demolished the production car record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this past weekend.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
23 June 2026
The Holiday Inn was demolished in 2006 and then the W went up, offering hotel rooms and private residences.
—
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Robert Parkinson,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
During that 25-day closure, PennDOT crews will be demolishing the existing Commercial Street Bridge and sliding in the new bridge, which has been constructed alongside the Parkway East outside of the Squirrel Hill Tunnel.
—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
The range-topping version of the eighth-generation ‘Vette demolished the production car record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb this past weekend.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
23 June 2026
The Holiday Inn was demolished in 2006 and then the W went up, offering hotel rooms and private residences.
—
Miami Herald,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolish
Verb
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Both victims died in separate mobile homes that were destroyed about two to three miles apart, Bullard said.
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If Iran’s atomic weapons infrastructure was destroyed in this war, funneling hundreds of billions into the country can’t be used to rebuild it.
Verb
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Don't Worry Too Much About Saltwater Or Chlorine Many people assume a quick swim in the ocean or pool will ruin their sunglasses.
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Could the Boston Celtics or another team ruin the Heat’s plan, swooping in and trading for Antetokounmpo this offseason and getting a long-term commitment from him?
Verb
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Many windows are shattered or boarded over with decaying plywood.
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Hundreds of records have already been shattered, with more expected as the heat intensifies today through Thursday.
Verb
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Two years ago, Delva was forced to flee his neighborhood of Solino after gangs stormed in and razed much of it to the ground.
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Foreign aid has been a clear focus; after USAID was razed last year, Vought was made acting administrator and tasked with overseeing the closeout of the agency.
Verb
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For months, Uber and lawyers from across the state poured tens of millions into dueling ballot measures that threatened to devastate the profits of whichever side lost.
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The jury in the federal trial of the man accused of starting the deadly blaze that devastated the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles last year is deadlocked after two days of deliberations, the court said Thursday.
Verb
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Britons struggled to cope this week as the record June temperature was smashed three days in a row.
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Video and photos shared on social media appear to show the aircraft plummeting to the ground after smashing a large hole in the 108-story CITIC Tower, located in the Chinese capital's business district.
Verb
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My polishing pads are always getting wrecked, used, or stolen by my dog (or all of those things).
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As many little heartbeats as possible, just running around, wrecking stuff in the house.
Verb
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The Philadelphia Phillies went into the top of the ninth inning down 8-6 to the Washington Nationals after Orion Kerkering gave up a three-run home run to blow the lead late in the game.
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While sitting on your porch or deck, a blast of air from a fan can help blow weak-flying mosquitoes away.
Cite this Entry
“Demolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolish. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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