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
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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
It has since been demolished, and the new larger home is finished.
—
Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 18 July 2025
The $250 million bond allowed the city to stabilize or demolish thousands of blighted homes across the city's seven districts, using local contractors for the majority of the work.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 18 July 2025
Last August, the airport demolished the Steele Creek Presbyterian Manse.
—Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
Before installing the temporary station, the city will need to demolish some of the buildings on the property.
—Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Thomas Gounley, Denver Post, 18 July 2025
The $250 million bond allowed the city to stabilize or demolish thousands of blighted homes across the city's seven districts, using local contractors for the majority of the work.
—Dana Afana, Freep.com, 18 July 2025
Last August, the airport demolished the Steele Creek Presbyterian Manse.
—Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
Before installing the temporary station, the city will need to demolish some of the buildings on the property.
—Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for demolish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolish
Verb
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In return, he was allowed to effectively destroy a nature site of great conservation value.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
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Trump also is destroying the Games’ potential upside.—
Joe Mathews,
Mercury News,
25 July 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
20 July 2025
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Nothing ruins the vibe of a beautiful backyard faster than dull, discolored patio furniture that’s more of an eyesore than an inviting lounge spot.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 July 2025
Verb
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Kurt's key takeaways The Elmo hack shattered more than just a cheerful digital persona.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
20 July 2025
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That seeming consensus, under sustained attack, was shattered this week.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
18 July 2025
Verb
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Some 15,000 single-room occupancy units are demolished in Skid Row and 7,000 low-income Victorian homes are razed on Bunker Hill as civic leaders move to modernize downtown.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
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The façade was saved when the old building was razed and repurposed for the new structure.—
Doug Ross,
Chicago Tribune,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Today, disaster seekers pack tours through New Orleans neighborhoods devastated by Hurricane Katrina two decades ago, and visitors continue to flock to Galveston to see the legacy of a hurricane that killed thousands more than a century earlier.—
Lila Hempel-Edgers
July 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 July 2025
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Not only has its air defense infrastructure suffered badly in the confrontations with Israel, but its regional proxies and allies – Hamas, Hezbollah and the Assad regime in Syria – have either been devastated by Israel or collapsed altogether.—
Linggong Kong,
The Conversation,
22 July 2025
Verb
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Security then pulled Paul from the ring, but not before destroyed Jelly’s music equipment, smashing guitars, pushing over amps, and trashing the drum set.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
13 July 2025
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Back came Gunther, and both wrestlers smashed into each other, shoulder-first.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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The immigration storm is an effective diversion from how Trump’s policies are wrecking the government, jeopardizing the economy and forfeiting America’s respect in the world.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 July 2025
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Prelim info is stolen Camaro wrecked into a small bus pulling a trailer.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 July 2025
Verb
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In the marquee Challenger matchup of the weekend, a rematch of the Mid-Season final, Las Vegas blew the doors off of Nashville.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Kaus was setting up the umbrella when a gust of wind blew her off a lifeguard stand, dropping her on the point end of the 1-inch metal pole, NJ.com reported.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Demolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolish. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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