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

And ever since, the entire offense has set about demolishing expectations.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

We now live in a democracy in which a president, with neither public notice nor permission, demolished part of the White House and no one tried to stop him.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“I can’t think of an example of a federal agency that’s torn down, just straight demolished historic fabric without going through the process in some way,” Green said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In 1975, when the medieval Czech town of Most was demolished to make way for coal mining, scientists and preservationists transported a 10,000-ton church half a mile on custom-built rails.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The stunning site of a demolished East Wing wasn’t the only surprise this week for White House-watchers.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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