demolition

noun

ˌde-mə-ˈli-shən How to pronounce demolition (audio)
Definition of demolitionnext
as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless several condemned buildings around the city are undergoing demolition as part of the revitalization program

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 demolition The Jets moved equipment into the interim facility after mandatory minicamp, and demolition of the old space was completed in July. — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026 The worst-case scenario would be a complete demolition and putting a 30-story tower in its place. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026 The firm had completed some initial work on the property three or four years ago, including the demolition of the building’s interior, and the buildout of utility connections and curbs and gutters. — Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026 The Fort Worth mall that anchored local shopping in the 1980s and ’90s is headed for demolition to make way for a massive warehouse development. — Star-Telegram Staff. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demolition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolition
  1. destruction
  2. devastation
  3. havoc
  4. extinction
  5. loss
Noun
  • AccuWeather data from April showed Illinois already leading the nation in tornado, hail and high‑wind reports before the destruction last month.
    — Daily Southtown, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, some vendors have sued the city to obtain public records related to the seizure and destruction of vendor equipment.
    — Da Lin, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of destruction
Noun
  • The mall’s survival amid the community’s devastation was not without controversy given Caruso’s use of private firefighters to ward off the flames.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Security camera photos show the devastation caused by flooding in Metamora, Indiana, where numerous businesses were damaged after severe weather hit on Wednesday.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of devastation
Noun
  • The tropical storm hit Japan days after Typhoon Dolphin created havoc in parts of southern Japan, paralyzing traffic and sending hundreds to take shelter.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • At the center of the effort was sixth-year linebacker Nick Bolton, the quarterback of the unit, who focused on galvanizing the troops to create havoc and slow down an offense that had been humming earlier in the frame.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • While an entire neighborhood (or more) is threatened with extinction-by-dinosaur, the fate of Starbuck (real-life dogs Buzz and Brisket share the role), featured prominently in the movie’s trailer, seems to have stirred up the most internet agita.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps the species has a core memory of how humanity almost hunted them to extinction.
    — Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of extinction
Noun
  • Finding the balance between preserving clubhouse culture and throwing future pieces into the fire remains complicated, even as the team dropped to 60-65 following Saturday’s 5-4 walk-off loss to the New York Mets.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Some of this can be attributed to a loss of trust in institutions, especially those tied to public health, thanks in part to the Covid-19 pandemic.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of loss

Browse Nearby Words

demolishments
demolition
demolitions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demolition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolition. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on demolition

Nglish: Translation of demolition for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of divulge

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All