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!
Related Words
See destroy.
Other Word Forms
- demolisher noun
- demolishment noun
- half-demolished adjective
- undemolished adjective
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)
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.
I’m happy Phillipe is not around to see the digital renderings of what they plan to erect once they demolish the Taix chateau: another condo building with all the charm of a college dorm.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
Graffiti, trash, trespassing and safety issues at the sprawling mall vexed local officials for so many years that they secured an injunction forcing the property owners to redevelop it or demolish it by August.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2026
For the answer, Chetty and his team looked to a government experiment that started over 30 years ago to demolish and replace rundown public housing projects with housing that had mixed-income levels.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026
"When they demolish, will they build for the use of those who occupied those properties?" asked Moses Ogunleye, a fellow at the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners.
From Barron's • Jan. 16, 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
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.
