as in wrecking
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1
as in destroying
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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2
as in ruining
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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3
as in shattering
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 demolishing
Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The city’s long-term plan calls for demolishing the existing facility and replacing it with a new permanent building.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
But the grumblings about demolishing the library building have lately become a roaring debate.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Israel’s defense minister said the military would accelerate demolishing homes along the southern Lebanese border and destroy all bridges over the Litani River.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The 39-year-old photographer from Beirut captured a stunning sequence of images in the early hours of Wednesday, showing an IDF missile demolishing a tower block in one fell swoop.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
The emails contain no detailed exchanges about arena negotiations, no plans tying a new venue to the City Hall site and no evidence of internal talks about demolishing the building for that purpose.
—Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Plans call for demolishing the existing welcome center, which currently has a Foxtail Coffee and Kelly’s Ice Cream counter, shifting the new building closer to Lake Rowena, and altering its shape.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Within a few days of this torment, the families began the excruciating business of demolishing their houses.
—Dahlia Krutkovich, The New York Review of Books, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
In the filing, Omni Hotels outlined a five-year timeframe that would get the site fully designed, permitted and prepared for construction, noting construction would not start until at least five years after the demolishing of the buildings on site.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Verb
Plans call for demolishing the three-story former office building on the site and constructing a single-story, 30-foot-tall building containing approximately 26,000 square feet of event space, according to information shared by the village.
—Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
The city’s long-term plan calls for demolishing the existing facility and replacing it with a new permanent building.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
But the grumblings about demolishing the library building have lately become a roaring debate.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026
Israel’s defense minister said the military would accelerate demolishing homes along the southern Lebanese border and destroy all bridges over the Litani River.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The 39-year-old photographer from Beirut captured a stunning sequence of images in the early hours of Wednesday, showing an IDF missile demolishing a tower block in one fell swoop.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 19 Mar. 2026
The emails contain no detailed exchanges about arena negotiations, no plans tying a new venue to the City Hall site and no evidence of internal talks about demolishing the building for that purpose.
—Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Plans call for demolishing the existing welcome center, which currently has a Foxtail Coffee and Kelly’s Ice Cream counter, shifting the new building closer to Lake Rowena, and altering its shape.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Within a few days of this torment, the families began the excruciating business of demolishing their houses.
—Dahlia Krutkovich, The New York Review of Books, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolishing
Noun
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At least, there was a lot less wrecking.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Will Trump adopt Putin-style tactics by destroying power plants or even desalination plants in what could amount to an attack on the beleaguered Iranian people themselves?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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In the weeks since, fears of a long-term occupation of southern Lebanon have grown, with Israel moving to establish a buffer zone in the area, leveling homes and destroying bridges over the Litani River, which connects the south to the rest of Lebanon, while taking control of what crossings remain.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And thanks to their merino wool blend—helpful for moisture control and odor resistance—I did’t have to worry about ruining good shoes with gross foot sweat.—
Christa Sgobba,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2026
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The young Wolverines had already taken their leave with figurative Texas tread marks ruining their silky white, maize and blue uniforms.—
Cedric Golden,
Austin American Statesman,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But customers should not expect earth-shattering menu changes.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
2 Apr. 2026
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With large hailstones capable of shattering windshields and denting vehicles, meteorologists are urging residents to move cars into garages, covered parking areas or sheltered spots.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The conflict looks set to batter allies’ economies by driving inflation up and hitting economic growth, while analysts have questioned the feasibility of Washington’s goals — whether regime change, or destruction of Tehran’s nuclear program or its missile stockpiles.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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The storm’s heavy rains caused widespread flooding that killed at least 43 people and led to the destruction of banana plantations, sorghum, beans, cassava, coffee and other crops as well as the loss of livestock.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At the core of the MAGA project and Trumpism is disruption and destruction, the delegitimization and razing of institutions, and the brutalization of opponents.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
23 Mar. 2026
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Instead of razing buildings, Robinson wants to repurpose buildings that were significant to the Black community, including Theodore Roosevelt High School.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Maces, which were little more than rocks mounted on sticks, had questionable value as hunting tools, but they were superbly suited for smashing the bones and skulls of other humans.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
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Charging forward, Tuanzebe met the ball as its arc fell just in front of the goal, smashing it for a 1-0 lead.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Apr. 2026
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The city did not adopt its own grocery tax to replace it, blowing a roughly $80 million hole in its budget.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Demolishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolishing. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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