1
as in destroys
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shatters
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 smashes
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolishes
Verb
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Jake and Vince have an unbreakable bond that destroys everyone and everything, but as Law points out, their issues are rooted in their early family life.—
Dana Feldman,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025 -
This final betrayal will be his undoing, as the enraged creature, doomed to live without connection, care, or love, finally snaps and destroys everything Victor holds dear.—
Thomas Page McBee,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The shift change shatters my sleep like a robin’s egg crashing against pavement.—
Manuel Muñoz,
Literary Hub,
11 Sep. 2025
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Most sitcoms that cast celebrities to play themselves go the Thompson route, crafting a character that completely shatters the person’s public image.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The ball smashes into the floodlights, and Hobbs sets off on his victory trot, in slow motion, with sparks cascading behind him like fireworks.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
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The trend isn’t one-sided either, as clips have surfaced of brides being the ones to start the frosting fight, like in this TikTok video where a bride smashes a piece of cake on her groom’s face.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When shoe stink ruins a perfectly good rack.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Sep. 2025
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No matter how beautiful your kitchen is, grime on your appliances immediately ruins its look.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The weather services said 60 mile-per-hour wind gusts are expected as a thunderstorm capable of damaging roofs, siding and trees blows through southeastern Davidson County, northwestern Rutherford County and northeastern Williamson County.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
16 Sep. 2025
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The technology blows my mind, considering SpaceX's direct-to-cell Starlink satellites are over 200 miles away, orbiting the giant mass of Earth, but still able to capture a tiny radio signal from my phone, through clouds.—
Senior Reporter,
PC Magazine,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Deadly flooding devastates South Asia Almost 400 people have died in Pakistan after flash floods brought destruction throughout the country’s north.—
Semafor Staff,
semafor.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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Illness devastates the novel’s humble, endearing protagonist, who bravely crosses class boundaries in her enthralling search for peace.—
Gabrielle Bellot,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Messy data wrecks forecasts, distorts reporting and wastes time.—
Thasha Batts,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Demolishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolishes. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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