demolish

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verb de·mol·ish \di-ˈmä-lish\

Definition of demolish

transitive verb
1a : tear down, raze demolish a buildingb : to break to pieces : smash His car was demolished in the accident.
2a : to do away with : destroy a filibuster which would effectively demolish the issue — Current Biography … a performance so awkward and apathetic it instantly appeared to demolish any chance of restoring her declining career … — Dave Itzkoffb : to strip of any pretense of merit or credence demolished her debate opponents demolish a stereotype

demolisher

noun

demolishment

play \-lish-mənt\ noun

See demolish defined for English-language learners

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Examples of demolish in a Sentence

The old factory was demolished to make way for a new parking lot.
Tons of explosives were used to demolish the building.
The town hopes to restore the old theater rather than have it demolished.
The car was demolished in the accident.
They demolished the other team 51–7.

Recent Examples of demolish from the Web

The city shouldn't be focused on demolishing vacant or dilapidated homes, Jackson said.

— erin edgemon, AL.com, "Army veteran Lanny Jackson announces run for Birmingham mayor", 3 July 2017
In addition, an estimate to demolish the amphitheater ramp was $421,000.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "No replacement in sight for Music Hall pedestrian bridge as hall nears reopening", 28 June 2017
The first span would be built just north of the exiting bridge, then the old bridge would be demolished and the second span built in its place.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "Report says 'no significant impact' of chosen route for new Amtrak Susquehanna bridge", 26 June 2017
Tom Alcamo, with the U.S. EPA, said the agency is in the process of changing its approach to cleanup for Zone 1 after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved the city's application to demolish the West Calumet complex.

— carrie napoleon, Post-Tribune, "EPA updates East Chicago Superfund site on cleanup efforts: 'We recognize this is a problem'", 24 June 2017
The feud is ostensibly about Lee Kuan Yew’s house, which according to his will should be demolished.

— WSJ, "Singapore and the Fighting Lees", 22 June 2017
It was demolished in 1996, and a modern movie theater, the Pacific Winnetka 12 & XD (9201 Winnetka), now stands in its place.

— lisa beebe, Los Angeles Magazine, "This Summer You Can Watch Movies About the Valley in the Valley", 22 June 2017
If the project is built to the current plan, JKB would demolish the house that stands on the property now, Acord said.

— sven berg, idahostatesman, "125 homes planned near Harris Ranch. Neighbors, city say no.", 20 June 2017
Federal housing officials pushed back a deadline for people to comment on plans to demolish East Chicago's West Calumet Housing Complex.

— craig lyons, Post-Tribune, "HUD hearing set on West Calumet demolition", 14 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'demolish'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of demolish

Middle French demoliss-, stem of demolir, from Latin demoliri, from de- + moliri to construct, from moles mass — more at mole

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First Known Use: 1570

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DEMOLISH Defined for English Language Learners

demolish

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verb

Definition of demolish for English Language Learners

: to destroy (a building, bridge, etc.) : to forcefully tear down or take apart (a structure)
: to damage (something) so that it cannot be repaired
: to eat all of (something) quickly