demolish
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to destroy or ruin (a building or other structure), especially on purpose; tear down; raze.
-
to put an end to; destroy; explode.
The results of his research demolished many theories.
-
to lay waste to; ruin utterly.
The fire demolished the area.
-
Informal. to devour completely.
We simply demolished that turkey.
verb
-
to tear down or break up (buildings, etc)
-
to destroy; put an end to (an argument, etc)
-
facetious to eat up
she demolished the whole cake!
Synonym Usage
See destroy.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has demolishedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have demolishedperfect
-
are demolishingprogressive
-
has been demolishingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
demolishessingular 3rd person
-
have been demolishingperfect progressive
-
am demolishingprogressive 1st person singular
-
is demolishingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
demolishingparticiple
Past
-
had demolishedperfect
-
had been demolishingperfect progressive
-
were demolishingprogressive plural
-
was demolishingprogressive singular
-
demolishedparticiple
-
demolishedsimple
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
Super Bowl Blowout: Epic Vocab for the Big Game
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Purple Hibiscus
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
American Football, 4th Quarter
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The committee’s sponsor, Death Penalty Action, launched an online petition to “Abolish & Demolish the Death Penalty” which, as of Friday afternoon, has amassed 5,408 signatures of the 6,400 sought.
From Washington Times • Jan. 14, 2022
Demolish the Paris luxury industry, the Baroness d'Oberkirch concluded, and French international supremacy would wither overnight.
From The Guardian • Jul. 29, 2011
Demolish unfavorable points with a strong gesture of negation, as by sweeping your arm horizontally.
From Certain Success by Hawkins, Norval A.
Demolish, de-mol′ish, v.t. to destroy, lay in ruins, to ruin.—n.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
Demolish that monster, Maladministration, Whose menaces fright the fair tower-crowned Maiden.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, July 25, 1891 by Various
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.
