demolish
[ dih-mol-ish ]
/ dɪˈmɒl ɪʃ /
verb (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.
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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)
Related formsde·mol·ish·er, nounde·mol·ish·ment, nounhalf-de·mol·ished, adjectiveun·de·mol·ished, adjective
Synonym study
1. See destroy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for demolish
British Dictionary definitions for demolish
demolish
/ (dɪˈmɒlɪʃ) /
verb (tr)
to tear down or break up (buildings, etc)
to destroy; put an end to (an argument, etc)
facetious to eat upshe demolished the whole cake!
Derived Formsdemolisher, noundemolishment, noun
Word Origin for demolish
C16: from French démolir, from Latin dēmōlīrī to throw down, destroy, from de- + mōlīrī to strive, toil, construct, from mōles mass, bulk
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for demolish
demolish
1560s, from Middle French demoliss-, present participle stem of démolir "to destroy, tear down" (late 14c.), from Latin demoliri "tear down," from de- "down" (see de-) + moliri "build, construct," from moles (genitive molis) "massive structure" (see mole (n.3)). Related: Demolished; demolishing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper