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
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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
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Recent Examples of razing
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
Here was an example of humans’ chopping, razing, paving, crushing ways that have mortally wounded the natural world.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
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
Here was an example of humans’ chopping, razing, paving, crushing ways that have mortally wounded the natural world.
—Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for razing
Verb
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But when the other side is destroying it, there are worse things to be than the alternative.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
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The European Union is moving forward with its ban on destroying unsold clothing, footwear and accessories.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The village is demolishing homes to make way for the redevelopment and will relocate residents elsewhere on campus, Timberlake said.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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The project calls for demolishing a 1949 single-family home and building a 2,500-square-foot contemporary building to be used as a Jewish ritual pool for women for spiritual purification.—
Lauren Costantino
February 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Steam cleaning is an effective way to sanitize and refresh your mattress, but the wrong technique can end up ruining the fabric.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
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Meanwhile, Bree doesn’t even realize that Evan is already in the process of ruining everything.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The brand nails high-quality essentials that look luxe without wrecking your travel budget.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
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The wrecking contractor did a superb job of clearing the area.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This happens when heavy rain or snowmelt raises the river level, shattering the existing ice cover.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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The first attempt ended in shattering disappointment.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital was wrecked by devastating flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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While an eight-game winning run saw Cherki, Foden and Haaland hit their devastating best, three frustrating draws against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion were characterised by wastefulness in front of goal.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In August 2024, students stormed her official residence, smashing walls and looting its contents, forcing her to flee into neighboring India and exile.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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Football in particular was hard to understand, with plays that last only seconds and the jarring violence of giant men smashing into each other.—
Erendira Rendon,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Razing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/razing. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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