1
as in to destroy
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to ruin
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to shatter
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 demolish
Right before the Mutual of America Residential approval, city officials signed off on a project to demolish a portion of the Office Depot world headquarters at 6600 N. Military to construct a 500-unit multifamily housing building.
—
Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2025
But the town’s cohesion frayed in the late twentieth century as factories shuttered, leaving behind dangerous pollution, and the construction of an interstate highway demolished the historic downtown.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
But look what's happened to his country, it's been demolished.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
But that was impossible because the old jail had been demolished in October of 2016.
—Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2025
But the town’s cohesion frayed in the late twentieth century as factories shuttered, leaving behind dangerous pollution, and the construction of an interstate highway demolished the historic downtown.
—Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
But look what's happened to his country, it's been demolished.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025
But that was impossible because the old jail had been demolished in October of 2016.
—Keith Sharon, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolish
Verb
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Residents of states that have been impacted by this weekend's storms have posted photos online showing their homes destroyed by the tornadoes, with roofs fallen completely off, walls caved in and debris on lawns.—
Brenton Blanchet,
People.com,
16 Mar. 2025
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Taking on the role of a teenage boy named Chrono, players have to travel through time and assemble a team to stop a horrifying creature named Lavos from destroying the world.—
Hayes Madsen,
Rolling Stone,
16 Mar. 2025
Verb
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During the 2020 election campaign, Trump said the AFFH rule would ruin the suburbs by forcing more affordable housing.—
Nathaniel Meyersohn,
CNN,
11 Mar. 2025
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The animated blockbuster, which has shattered box office records, will debut in the U.K. and Ireland on March 21, with previews beginning March 14.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2025
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Investigators say at least seven shots were fired, damaging three cars and shattering windows.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Buildings were razed and rebuilt, swimming pools installed, and state-of-the-art stadiums and classrooms created.—
Jeanne Allen,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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That building was razed in 2020, and thus far, nothing has replaced it.—
Randy Mason,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Last year, parts of the U.S. were devastated by hurricanes such as Helene and Milton.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
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The Asheville area was devastated in September by Hurricane Helene, with thousands of people displaced and businesses destroyed or temporarily closed.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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To Late April Close, CFO Says - Update RTL pointed to 2024 success stories including Oscar-winner Poor Things, hit Amazon YA series Maxton Hall, Kim Kardashian-produced doc Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar and U.S. entertainment smashes like Family Feud and The Farmer Wants A Wife.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2025
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Two people who were in the office area were hit as the vehicle smashed through the building, came out the other side and struck another vehicle, police said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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With the Trop's roof wrecked by Hurricane Milton, the Rays will play at Tampa's George M. Steinbrenner Field.—
Jeff Weiner,
Axios,
10 Mar. 2025
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A lot of people get too ambitious, head to the back tees, and end up absolutely wrecked by the course.—
David Hochman,
Forbes,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Keep windows and doors closed to avoid pollen being blown into your home.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2025
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By dumping more toxic substances into the landfills, there’s a higher chance of chemicals leaking into groundwater or becoming part of airborne dust blowing into nearby communities.—
Tony Briscoe,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolish. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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