demolish
Americanverb (used with object)
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demolishes,
present (3rd person singular)
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demolished,
past participle, past
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demolishing
present participle
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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.
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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
-
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:
Gary, Ind., is launching an $80 million campaign to demolish 7,000 abandoned homes and businesses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
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
But now there are plans to demolish it to build flats and offices.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 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
I could demolish a bag of Cheez Doodles; I’d have Doodle Cheez so far infused into my fingertips, I’d be tasting it on myself for a day.
From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini
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
"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
In this breezy but thought-provoking book, Lenz demolishes the standard view that divorce is a tragedy, especially for women.
From Salon ● Feb. 20, 2024
Woo demolishes the cinnamon dip with one sweeping lick.
From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer
El-Sayed is eager to face Rogers, predicting, with characteristic moxie, that in the future, if “you say ‘Mike Rogers,’ it’ll be like: ‘Remember when Abdul just completely demolished that man’s political future?’
From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2026
"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
Homes were demolished, chapels flattened and communities displaced in Port Talbot when Wales' first stretch of motorway was built at a cost of more than £5m.
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 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
As we waited for an answer all I could think of was Conchetta’s ripped dress—the one Helen Kazinski had demolished.
From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel
“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
Anta collaborated with Chinese scientists to develop a type of foam cushion made with nitrogen that provides extra bounciness—all but demolishing Nike’s competitive moat.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026
The president has also made a permanent mark on the White House itself, demolishing the East Wing of the building as part of his plans to build a ballroom.
From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026
The straightforward solution, after demolishing the adjoining building, would have been to extend the facade to the south.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026
He slurped and licked and carried on, demolishing the entire bowl and looking up for more.
From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak
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.
