1
as in destroying
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in demolishing
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
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 razing
That would have involved razing homes in Black neighborhoods.
—
Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Heavy equipment has been razing the multi-level concrete parking garage at 99 Founders Plaza for the past several weeks, and then will tear down the 150,000-square-foot former Bank of America offices.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
In response, the city endorsed a plan to clear major sections of the waterfront for a federal highway — razing industrial sites and promising construction jobs, but at the cost of irreplaceable historic sites along Baltimore’s waterfront.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
In a region that defaults to razing the old for the new, giving a defunct terminal a second life is a sign that some Gulf landmarks are worth preserving.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025
Mainstream opinion viewed the devastation of Gaza—the killing of more than 68,000 Palestinians, razing of entire cities and villages, and preparations for mass expulsions—as justified responses to Hamas’s atrocities.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Preservationists worry study could suggest razing the buildings The possible demolition of the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theatre are facing a potential roadblock due to a City Hall decision.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 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
The thundering early morning blast at Accurate Energetic Systems reverberated across the surrounding community Friday, razing an entire building on the plant’s sprawling campus and leading to a painstaking search that ultimately found no survivors.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Heavy equipment has been razing the multi-level concrete parking garage at 99 Founders Plaza for the past several weeks, and then will tear down the 150,000-square-foot former Bank of America offices.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 5 Feb. 2026
In response, the city endorsed a plan to clear major sections of the waterfront for a federal highway — razing industrial sites and promising construction jobs, but at the cost of irreplaceable historic sites along Baltimore’s waterfront.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026
In a region that defaults to razing the old for the new, giving a defunct terminal a second life is a sign that some Gulf landmarks are worth preserving.
—Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 24 Nov. 2025
Mainstream opinion viewed the devastation of Gaza—the killing of more than 68,000 Palestinians, razing of entire cities and villages, and preparations for mass expulsions—as justified responses to Hamas’s atrocities.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
Preservationists worry study could suggest razing the buildings The possible demolition of the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theatre are facing a potential roadblock due to a City Hall decision.
—Tom Daykin, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 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
The thundering early morning blast at Accurate Energetic Systems reverberated across the surrounding community Friday, razing an entire building on the plant’s sprawling campus and leading to a painstaking search that ultimately found no survivors.
—Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for razing
Verb
-
The beams would be far brighter than the full moon and, even if carefully pointed, would scatter in the atmosphere to be very bright off-beam, disrupting wildlife and effectively destroying the sky’s remaining natural beauty by erasing the stars from our sight.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
-
An estimated 50,000 pounds of ice collapsed the sanctuary roof, destroying nearly everything.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The arena, which would host sports, concerts and other events, is is expected to cost around $242 million to build, though the entire renovation, which includes demolishing the 58-year-old Millet Hall and installing parking near Cook Field, could cost up to $281 million.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Other possibilities involve demolishing the structure for street-level transit or repurposing it as a pedestrian and bicycle trail.—
David Bauerlein,
Florida Times-Union,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trump has long mocked Bush for ruining his presidency by invading Iraq, and his administration over the past week has sought to downplay any parallels between Bush’s misadventures and its own attack on Iran.—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The White House believed that that Iran was intentionally ruining the Mideast peace process, and then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich had called Iran the most dangerous nation on Earth.—
Brit McCandless Farmer,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere, a driver was rescued after calling 911 when her Chevy sedan stalled in high water, wrecking just off the road in Morgan Township, according to dispatchers.—
Jennifer Edwards Baker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Earthlings aren't the only ones safe from a city-wrecking-size asteroid.—
Robin George Andrews,
Scientific American,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
From thunderous victory to shattering downfall, this play delivers sweeping action sequences, political intrigue, and a theatrical experience that hits with the force of a battle drum.—
Cincinnati Enquirer,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
-
That burst of momentum came in a primary that was already shattering spending records.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Through the implementation of strong border policies, fentanyl trafficking across the southern border has been slashed in half, leading to fewer overdose deaths devastating American families.—
Gabe Evans,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The Los Angeles County district attorney is investigating whether Southern California Edison should be criminally prosecuted for its actions in last year’s devastating Eaton wildfire, which killed 19 people and left thousands of families homeless, the company said Wednesday.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Costco recommends wrapping it in a towel and smashing it into pieces with a hammer.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Vulture hosted a special screening of the pilot with ABC on March 3, and Speedman answered all of our questions about smashing props and doing his own stunts.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Razing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/razing. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
