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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demolish
Nashville demolished Minnesota 5-0 in a Leagues Cup quarterfinal in 2023.
—
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
The recognition prevents the home from being demolished or renovated except in special circumstances.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
Preservationists say the building remains a civic landmark and should be repaired rather than demolished.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Trump had the East Wing demolished in October.
—Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 6 Mar. 2026
The recognition prevents the home from being demolished or renovated except in special circumstances.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026
Preservationists say the building remains a civic landmark and should be repaired rather than demolished.
—Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 5 Mar. 2026
Trump had the East Wing demolished in October.
—Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolish
Verb
-
In eastern Afghanistan, the Department of Information and Culture accused Pakistan of targeting civilian areas, destroying homes and killing at least 11 people.—
MUNIR AHMED,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The Democrat said Iran’s defenses were weakened and Saturday there was an opportunity to destroy remaining military assets.—
Anthony Shoemaker,
The Columbus Dispatch,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Cops say the $89 pair of boots were ruined.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That burst of momentum came in a primary that was already shattering spending records.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The series, based on a novel by Araminta Hall, delves into a crime that shatters a long-standing friendship among the three lead characters.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The building will be razed to make way for new midfield taxiways to support the airport’s forthcoming second concourse, which is scheduled to open in the early 2030s.—
Alex Driggars,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
-
That would have involved razing homes in Black neighborhoods.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The fires devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena — destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents and killing 31 people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Most businesses are open and welcoming customers following January’s devastating Palisades Fire.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Wearing hooded sweatshirts and full-face masks, the robbers ordered employees to one part of the room at gunpoint before two of them smashed the glass display cases with sledgehammers, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.—
Nick Sullivan
March 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Rocco-Herrmann/Getty Images After the price of silver smashed through a record $100 per ounce milestone in late January, many investors would be forgiven for expecting the metal to continue its remarkable surge upward largely unimpeded.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Born in Finland, raised in Boston, then wrecked in Ohio, the poor woman couldn’t exist as matter anymore.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
-
So last week … In Atlanta, Carson Hocevar wrecked Bell.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After blowing a three-run lead, Harvard-Westlake still came out on top with a 4-3 victory over Huntington Beach on Tuesday when Ethan Price delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Since that point, the price of the precious metal has blown past $5,000, set several new all-time highs and handed investors more than 100% returns in a single year.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolish. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
