demolishing 1 of 2

present participle of demolish
1
2
as in ruining
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 shattering
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

demolishing

2 of 2

noun

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 demolishing
Noun
Since March 14, severe weather has left a trail of destruction, toppling trees, demolishing homes, and igniting wildfires, the Associated Press reported. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 Education advocates and Democrats have condemned the move, and actually demolishing the agency would require an act of Congress. The Hill Staff, The Hill, 20 Mar. 2025 By 2006, Alcatel-Lucent, the building’s owner at the time, was considering demolishing the property. Celia Fernandez,raffi Paul, CNBC, 20 Mar. 2025 By some estimates, construction and building operations already account for 42% of global carbon emissions, which means nearly half of all emissions worldwide stem from constructing, operating, or demolishing buildings. Christopher Marquis, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025 Frey and others have said demolishing a large parking ramp on the Hennepin side would improve river access. Nick Halter, Axios, 11 Mar. 2025 Construction crews in recent months have been working on demolishing the western portion of the old building, including the Goldsborough Gym. Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025 On average, demolishing a blighted structure in Detroit costs $21,556. Camila Alvayay Torrejon, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2025 Corby’s steelworks was shut down and the local government was put in charge of demolishing and redeveloping its 680 acres. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 4 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolishing
Verb
  • But if enacted, some of the ideas proposed also risk destroying a nascent private sector and worsening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Online records show that Lamb was charged with homicide, kidnap-false imprisonment, evidence-destroying and procure for prostitute.
    Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The county’s preliminary plan calls for razing it, except for the portion where the supervisors hold their public meetings.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025
  • The changes appeared to respond to concerns about how razing the trees could reduce shade and carbon capture and storage.
    Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • This prequel flashes back to a previous Christmas in Los Angeles, when their unintentional destruction of a Santa Claus parade balloon put the city on edge, wrecking the gang's plans for a massive Yuletide bank robbery.
    EW.com, EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024
  • The vocalist’s sole concerns related to the natural environment, the animal kingdom and humankind’s responsibility for wrecking our only home.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Unfortunately for the over 200 families and individuals renting at Acacia Cliffs, the City Council has incentivized our displacement and the destruction of 290 of the most affordable apartments in West Austin.
    Shonda Novak, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
  • Weary of dealing with angry calls from the mayor about Frank’s blithe trail of city property destruction, police chief Davis (CCH Pounder) warns him to play nice with major donor Kane, since Police Squad’s funding is at risk.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • Encampments, flag desecration, face coverings, and masks intended to conceal identity are prohibited.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2025
  • Heidi Dutton, 19, entered a guilty plea in May to two counts of first-degree-murder, conspiracy, and two counts of desecration of a human corpse in the deaths of Deborah and Larry Dutton, who were her biological grandparents and adoptive parents.
    Chris Spargo, People.com, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Charged with gun possession and bribing a witness, Mr. Combs stood trial for seven weeks in early 2001, facing the possibility of 15 years in prison — and, possibly, the ruination of his career.
    Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Fetterman and McCormick set for high-stakes Pennsylvania forum MAJOR HEADLINES ‘DAMAGING DECISION’ – Trump says tariff ruling could lead to 'economic ruination' of US.
    , FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demolishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolishing. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on demolishing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!