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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 demolish
The group plans to demolish the buildings on the western side of the site for new construction.
—
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 17 Sep. 2025
Redford tried his hand at directing for 1980’s Ordinary People, a chronicle of an emotionally distant family demolished by tragedy, which went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
The airport's closed Concourse E will be demolished and replaced with a new concourse and terminal serving domestic and international flights.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Many of the buildings are still vacant or have been demolished entirely.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 17 Sep. 2025
Redford tried his hand at directing for 1980’s Ordinary People, a chronicle of an emotionally distant family demolished by tragedy, which went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture.
—Tim Grierson, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
The airport's closed Concourse E will be demolished and replaced with a new concourse and terminal serving domestic and international flights.
—Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Many of the buildings are still vacant or have been demolished entirely.
—Graham Averill, Outside, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolish
Verb
-
In a poignant touch, the seating within is made of wood sourced from ancient cedar trees, which previously grew near a Japanese temple destroyed by the earthquake.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Sep. 2025
-
His death destroyed the agent’s two-year path to take down the Invernizzi family.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Some hardware is brass-plated, which means scrubbing could expose the metal underneath and ruin the finish.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Simone Jasper,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office has identified the driver and passenger of a white pickup truck alleged to be throwing objects at moving cars and shattering their windshields, according to a sheriff’s social media post.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Black Rabbit is a propulsive thrill ride and character examination about the way an unbreakable bond between two brothers can shatter their world and everything in its orbit.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
It was razed by the Israeli military months ago.—
Josh Holder,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Just as a developer is trying to move ahead with plans to raze the historic Excelsior Club in west Charlotte, then rebuild a near replica, a local museum CEO is trying to make the case for saving the structure.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
On September 7, dog owner Brittany U'Wren was devastated to learn that her rescue Shitzu mix, named Lexi, had escaped through the garage and disappeared from her home in Lexington, Kentucky.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Ajok said that a friend, a fellow Ugandan athlete, told her that after taking medication and undergoing surgery in order to compete, they were left feeling devastated.—
Amy Woodyatt,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the first half drew to a close, Calvert-Lewin towered above Kenny Tete to nod a ball down that Sean Longstaff would eventually smash off the crossbar.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
-
In the worst-case scenario, a collision could smash a satellite into many more pieces of space debris, which each then go on to collide with more satellites, which produces more chunks of space junk, and so on and so forth.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The wooden bridge that was wrecked spans the Pfeiffer Redwood Creek ravine.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
-
That wrecked longstanding fixtures with the old Western North Carolina character, like a place to buy bib overalls and the county courthouse.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Chargers blew a 21-point second-half lead, only to respond on the final drive of the fourth quarter with a winning touchdown.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
22 Sep. 2025
-
Craft your own pumpkin, blown by professionals out of hot molten glass.—
Caroline Ritzie,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
21 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolish. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share