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!
Synonym Usage
See destroy.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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demolishsimple
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demolishessimple
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have demolishedperfect
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has demolishedperfect
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am demolishingprogressive
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are demolishingprogressive
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is demolishingprogressive
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have been demolishingperfect progressive
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has been demolishingperfect progressive
Past
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demolishedsimple
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had demolishedperfect
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was demolishingprogressive
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were demolishingprogressive
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had been demolishingperfect progressive
Future
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)
Explanation
Demolish means “completely destroy,” as a wrecking ball might demolish a building, or as hanging out with one’s parents might, supposedly, demolish a teenager’s reputation. In casual speech, demolish can also mean “devour,” as a group of hungry teenagers might demolish a pizza. The noun form of demolish is demolition, which often implies destruction by means of explosives. Demolish combines the prefix de-, which can mean “undo,” with the Latin verb moliri, meaning “to build" — which makes sense if you are thinking of 'undoing a building' with explosives!
Vocabulary lists containing demolish
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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.
See Examples For:
In one seaside community, graffiti outside a collapsed building asked authorities not to demolish it until the families could recover nine bodies buried under the rubble.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
Dietmar Arnold, chairman of the Berlin Underworlds Association, told the BBC it would be "absolute madness" to demolish the bunker.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
Juneau, Alaska, plans to demolish seven historic homes on Telephone Hill to build up to 155 new housing units, addressing a housing shortage.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
Millett also asked whether anything could be done if the government decided, for example, to demolish the Statue of Liberty.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
If the government decided to demolish Newsome Park tomorrow, there simply would be no place for the residents to go.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
But “Influencers” both dwells in and demolishes an online, text-happy, selfie-saturated world, one that thrives on misinformation and FOMO-mongering and drives CW more than a little crazy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 9, 2025
The city offers $4,500 or two months rent if a landlord demolishes or substantially remodels a building, but only one month’s rent in other cases.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2024
"If the government demolishes our houses, at least give us a solution. Tell us where to go. We don't know where to go," she said.
From BBC ● May 3, 2024
Tyler Locklear demolishes a baseball that was easily the hardest-hit in live BP today, landing beyond the white trucks over the left-field wall.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 22, 2024
Woo demolishes the cinnamon dip with one sweeping lick.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
"No structure will be demolished as long as there are victims still to be found or people to be recovered," Transport Minister Francisco Garces told a press conference two days ago.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
Among each other, they shared oral histories or firsthand accounts of the demolished neighborhoods of Palo Verde, La Loma and Bishop that once encompassed the nearby canyon.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Manson’s connection to the home lingered for decades, and less than 30 years after those murders, the dwelling, which had been owned by music producer Terry Melcher, was demolished.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
Prince Harry's claims in a court case against the publishers of the Daily Mail had been demolished.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
“War wound,” Basil muttered as he demolished a plateful of quince and elderberry pie.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
Venezuelan authorities on Thursday began demolishing buildings in the state of La Guaira, the region worst hit by last month's twin earthquakes, AFP observed.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
He believes it would even be possible to build on top of them without demolishing the entire bunker.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
“We’re encouraging people to spread out and support independent businesses rather than all going to one place and demolishing the kitchen.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026
But they dreaded demolishing the 800-square-foot cabin because it held such strong family memories.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026
She's obviously enjoying demolishing Shanti's cousin in front of everybody.
From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins
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.
