1
as in to demolish
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
an entire city block razed by a terrible fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to destroy
to destroy (as a building) completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces
the developer razed the old school building and built a high-rise condominium complex
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of raze
Many eastern hardwood forests were razed for agriculture, and Indiana forests have seen little fire over the past 100 or so years.
—
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
Heinlenville, which was built after the Market Street Chinatown was burned down, flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, until the land was sold to the city and buildings were razed in the 1930s.
—Sophie Luo, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
When the Eaton Canyon fire razed the North Los Angeles community earlier this year, Colvert watched as the flames destroyed her school and many of her friends’ homes.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
Most Democrats, 77%, opposed razing the East Wing, while a plurality of Republicans, 44%, signaled their approval.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for raze
Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 29 Oct. 2025
Heinlenville, which was built after the Market Street Chinatown was burned down, flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, until the land was sold to the city and buildings were razed in the 1930s.
—Sophie Luo, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
When the Eaton Canyon fire razed the North Los Angeles community earlier this year, Colvert watched as the flames destroyed her school and many of her friends’ homes.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2025
Most Democrats, 77%, opposed razing the East Wing, while a plurality of Republicans, 44%, signaled their approval.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for raze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raze
Verb
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It is designed to mirror the East Wing addition after the previous building was demolished last year.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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In order to do so, the city has to acquire the land and purchase the properties — valued at $22 million total — and demolish them, causing several businesses to close or relocate to make way for the project.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So, automation can be used to destroy labor or workers’ power, but it can also be used in the opposite direction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Homes, businesses and synagogues were destroyed.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
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This will either change your life or ruin you.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Group members want to see Bonta’s office take ownership of a review, as occurred in Hawaii after Maui’s devastating Lahaina fire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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The regime’s regional proxies have been devastated.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Creature is slowed, however, when gunfire shatters the ice around its feet, plunging it into the cold sea.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
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Troconis’ case for being a cooperating witness was shattered when Dulos died after attempting to commit suicide in January 2020, Bowman testified.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Guardiola’s lads look back to their best in the early months of this season after the extended wobble in the previous one that wrecked their hopes of a fifth straight domestic title.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Phillips croons about a mother’s bond with her child as Swinton walks off, her character freshly wrecked by a visit with her son in prison.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The conservative impulse — skepticism of sweeping change, respect for traditions, wariness of unintended consequences — can prevent politics from becoming a moral joyride that smashes against the guardrails and calls it courage.—
Robert T.F. Downes,
Hartford Courant,
6 Jan. 2026
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As Hodges stood there, scared and vulnerable, the man grabbed his baton and bashed him on the head with it, rupturing his lip and smashing his skull.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Raze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raze. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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