demolish

[dih-mol-ish]

verb (used with object)

1. to destroy or ruin (a building or other structure), especially on purpose; tear down; raze.

   Synonyms: bulldoze, wreck, level

2. to put an end to; destroy; explode.

   The results of his research demolished many theories.

3. to lay waste to; ruin utterly.

   The fire demolished the area.

4. Informal.,  to devour completely.

   We simply demolished that turkey.

demolish

/ dɪˈmɒlɪʃ /

verb

1. to tear down or break up (buildings, etc)

2. to destroy; put an end to (an argument, etc)

3. facetious,  to eat up

   she demolished the whole cake!

Other Word Forms

• demolisher noun
• demolishment noun
• half-demolished adjective
• undemolished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of demolish¹

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of demolish¹

C16: from French démolir, from Latin dēmōlīrī to throw down, destroy, from _de- + mōlīrī to strive, toil, construct, from mōles mass, bulk

Synonym Study

See destroy.

Example Sentences

It is an origin story, but also a systematic demolishing of creation myths, if any still survive.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The Israeli military left nothing to us, they demolished everything," she said.

Read more on BBC

Pupils returned to lessons in the modular building in September 2025, but the trust hopes that the main building will be demolished and replaced in time for the start of the 2027-2028 academic year.

Read more on BBC

“Last week, it was the demolishing of the East Wing. This week, it’s a medical professional almost dying in my Oval Office at the mere thought of charging less for drugs,” he said.

Read more on Salon

The Navy has led cleanup efforts, excavating contaminated soil and demolishing buildings.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annihilate 
• bulldoze 
• crush 
• decimate 
• devastate 
• dilapidate 
• dismantle 
• flatten 
• obliterate 
• overturn 
• pulverize 
• raze 
• ruin 
• smash 
• trash 
• wreck