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
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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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of demolish
Both of the existing reservoirs and the Exchange Place Pump Station were planned to be demolished.
—
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
Two buildings flanking the recreation center − 19 W. Elder St., and 34 Green St. − will be demolished to make way for a parking lot at the new Crossroads Health Center.
—Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
The old United Artists movie theater, designed by theater architect C. Howard Crane, was in poor physical condition and demolished as part of the redevelopment.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Originally built in 1920, the hotel is slated to be demolished so that the city of San Juan can build a conference center next to San Juan City Hall.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
Two buildings flanking the recreation center − 19 W. Elder St., and 34 Green St. − will be demolished to make way for a parking lot at the new Crossroads Health Center.
—Sydney Franklin, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025
The old United Artists movie theater, designed by theater architect C. Howard Crane, was in poor physical condition and demolished as part of the redevelopment.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Originally built in 1920, the hotel is slated to be demolished so that the city of San Juan can build a conference center next to San Juan City Hall.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolish
Verb
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In September 2024, the same month as the pager attack and assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Israel launched the most extensive campaign of airstrikes in the air force’s history hitherto, destroying much of Hezbollah’s strategic surface-to-surface missile stockpiles.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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As rumors swirl and her life collapses, Eva faces a choice: protect herself or expose Amir’s secret and risk destroying him.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
30 June 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Olivia Lloyd
July 9,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
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Sophisticated travelers can savor world-class dining, from rich Hakata ramen to the most delicious gyoza, or explore modern art, castle ruins, and shops run by local artisans.—
Mark Lakin,
Travel + Leisure,
9 July 2025
Verb
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But the resulting scandal shatters her reputation, as well as that of Nina’s teenage daughter, Clara.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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In those terrifying moments, Ryan shattered a window in a final attempt to get his family out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Although the group’s compound was razed, the locals are still trying to shake the stigma.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
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The Army Corps of Engineers is more than halfway through its mission of clearing the wildfire debris from the vast majority of homes and schools that were razed in the Eaton and Palisades wildfires.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Verb
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People were aware of the risk of fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and a 1923 magnitude 8 earthquake and firestorm that devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, causing an astonishing 142,800 deaths, according to the USGS.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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He’s been through adversity and grown stronger James’ drive to give back began during his freshman year at Tulane, when Hurricane Ida devastated New Orleans.—
Shane Connuck
June 26,
Charlotte Observer,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The other oar was smashed off, and the raft was littered up with leaves and branches and dirt.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
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Odie's menu includes smash burgers and signature drinks inspired by band members.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Day camp providers and schools are warning that a Trump administration funding freeze could wreck summer for low-income American families and wipe out some after-school programming next year.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
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Social media is abuzz with Tatsuki's prophecy of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami wrecking her home country of Japan -- a place prone to natural disasters but also a top destination for many in Asia -- sometime between July 5 and 7.—
Britt Clennett,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Verb
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Some of the clips have also already begun to go viral including one of Chase’s gazelle-like movement and another of Hill blowing by Smith-Njigba in coverage.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
10 July 2025
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Be careful when handling debris that may have blown into your yard.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolish. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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