demolishing 1 of 2

demolishing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of demolish
1
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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 demolishing
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
Despite being identified decades ago, the exact trigger of the joint-demolishing condition is still unclear. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026 At least one person was arrested for trespassing in connection with an earlier protest to stop contractors from demolishing the other trees. Michael Loria, USA Today, 30 July 2026 City officials determined the collision had damaged the bridge beyond repair and began demolishing it Tuesday. Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 29 July 2026 LeVota previously said that a new use could involve either refurbishing one or both of the stadiums, or demolishing one or both entirely. Ilana Arougheti july 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026 At the same time, Israeli soldiers have intensified their incursions across the West Bank, arresting more than 100 Palestinians and demolishing homes. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026 Concerns over demolishing the Excelsior Club The decision to demolish has sparked tension with local preservationists and historians. Claire Harutunian, Charlotte Observer, 16 July 2026 Beyond the environmental costs, demolishing and hauling away the remnants of huge buildings is especially expensive in dense cities such as New York. ABC News, 10 July 2026 This project, which is under review by the city, proposes demolishing the long-defunct Kmart building and bringing residences, shops and a new Publix to the plaza. Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolishing
Noun
  • At least, there was a lot less wrecking.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • 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
  • The fire ripped through hillside neighborhoods, destroying mansions with spectacular ocean views.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • At that tipping point, the only solution is for oil prices to surge, destroying enough demand for oil that the market can return to equilibrium.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But therein lies the problem with ruining baseball and predicting the World Series in August.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Tarik Skubal did not go into last week expecting to be the latest avatar for the Los Angeles Dodgers ruining baseball.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • With each passing episode of its second season, Sugar has been leading its title character to the same mind-and-spirit-shattering dilemma.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Water levels in Budapest sunk to 4 inches Monday, shattering the previous record low of 13 inches set in 2018, according to the Associated Press.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Since October 2023, the number and severity of settler attacks have skyrocketed, including arson and other destruction of property, the killing of livestock, violent assaults and murder, taking place almost every day.
    Kamel Musallet, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
  • While the film has long been remembered for ambition, excess, and destruction, Tyga saw another narrative waiting beneath the chaos—a love story.
    Desjah Altvater, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • In March, Nebraska’s Morrill Fire tore through 642,000 acres to become the largest in state history, killing one person and razing vast stretches of cattle country.
    Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • By the late 1980s, McAuley’s days clearly were numbered, as the DuPage County Airport Authority, in the midst of a major expansion, began buying and razing most of the remaining homes in the McAuley district.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026
Verb
  • Nick Loftin then doubled in the third before Caglianone hit his 21st homer of the season to right, smashing a hanging slider for a 410-foot shot that induced grumbles from the stands.
    ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • The Public Defender's Office said Govindbhai, without double-checking the plate numbers, walked to the driver's side door and struck the window with his baton four times, smashing the glass.
    Jose Fabian, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Police said Bessent, who had no license, drove more than 118 mph, blowing through red lights before crashing into a Chevrolet Cruz.
    Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Companies are struggling with AI spending, exemplified by Uber blowing its annual budget in four months without clear benefits.
    Vinay Kuruvila, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Demolishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolishing. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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