demolish
[ dih-mol-ish ]
/ dɪˈmɒl ɪʃ /
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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)
synonym study for demolish
1. See destroy.
OTHER WORDS FROM demolish
de·mol·ish·er, nounde·mol·ish·ment, nounhalf-de·mol·ished, adjectiveun·de·mol·ished, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use demolish in a sentence
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 forms of demolish
demolisher, noundemolishment, nounWord 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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