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
That was before the property owner demolished the complex to make way for new retail space.
—
Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
After high levels of toxins were found throughout the tenant unit that burned, the structure was demolished.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
Will the attack demolish President Trump’s signal foreign policy achievement, the Abraham Accords?
—Monica Marks, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025
After high levels of toxins were found throughout the tenant unit that burned, the structure was demolished.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
Will the attack demolish President Trump’s signal foreign policy achievement, the Abraham Accords?
—Monica Marks, Time, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolish
Verb
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Two months after historic floods swept through the Milwaukee area, new data shows that nearly 2,200 homes throughout Milwaukee County sustained major damage or were destroyed.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Police in Florida are searching for two men caught on camera destroying a mall store while stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise.—
Pilar Arias,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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The jerky in particular has ruined me for all other beef jerky—so be forewarned the same might happen to you.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Each episode explores how Taylor shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling, built a billion-dollar business empire, and transformed celebrity activism through her pioneering work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
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Jeff sustained a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle, receiving two surgeries to remove the bullet and leather from his foot.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Swamp re-opened in 2022 after having to move from its original building of 25 years, which was purchased and razed (to considerable local outrage); its spirit lives on in the new location just four minutes away from the first.—
Skye Sherman,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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But the war has been hugely destructive for Gaza, with entire areas razed to the ground and thousands of people killed, while millions are displaced.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And that doesn’t change when the relationships in the middle of a dispute are the ones between Prince William and Prince Harry, and the one feeling devastated by the feud is Prince George.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 Oct. 2025
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But none appears set to devastate his team’s chances of contention as has that of Burrow.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At least four people were killed and eight injured when a gunman in a pickup truck smashed through the doors of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan during a Sunday service attended by hundreds, opened fire and set the building ablaze.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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During a two-point conversion play, Jennings caught the ball in the endzone, but was smashed between two Jaguars defenders.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Brian Schottenheimer battles through injuries Heading into the game against the Jets, Schottenheimer’s offensive line was wrecked by injury.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Oct. 2025
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Centuries ago, a fleet of Spanish ships laden with gold, silver and jewels taken from the New World was sailing back to Spain when a hurricane wrecked the flotilla on July 31, 1715, spilling the treasures into the sea, according to the 1715 Fleet Society.—
Kate Payne,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Grealish, no longer prone, headed, just like Moyes, to the South Stand and appeared to blow a kiss to adoring fans.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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Apparently, Grier forgot his own words, because the lines that the Dolphins have built are collectively their worst this decade, something evident in a crushing 27-24 loss to Carolina, a game in which Miami blew a 17-0 lead.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolish. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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