demolish
Americanverb (used with object)
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to destroy or ruin (a building or other structure), especially on purpose; tear down; raze.
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to put an end to; destroy; explode.
The results of his research demolished many theories.
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to lay waste to; ruin utterly.
The fire demolished the area.
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Informal. to devour completely.
We simply demolished that turkey.
verb
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to tear down or break up (buildings, etc)
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to destroy; put an end to (an argument, etc)
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facetious to eat up
she demolished the whole cake!
Related Words
See destroy.
Other Word Forms
- demolisher noun
- demolishment noun
- half-demolished adjective
- undemolished adjective
Etymology
Origin of demolish
1560–70; < Middle French démoliss-, stem of démolir < Latin dēmōlīrī to destroy, equivalent to dē- de- + mōlīrī to set in motion, struggle ( mōl ( ēs ) mass, bulk + -īrī infinitive suffix)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"If the field is demolished, all the children's dreams will be demolished with it."
From Barron's
It also comes amid other grandiose schemes such as demolishing the White House East Wing in order to install a $400-million ballroom, and announcing the construction of a large triumphal arch.
From Barron's
And you talked about your home in Florida being demolished by the hurricane.
From Los Angeles Times
The airport has brought on Chinese-speaking staff and plans to demolish old military air hangars to make more freighter parking and warehouse space, according to Torsten Wefers, the airport’s vice president of sales and marketing.
"We are determined to return, and God willing, we will rebuild. Even if the houses are demolished, we will not be afraid -- our morale is high."
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
