Definitions

demolish

[dih-mol-ish] / dɪˈmɒl ɪʃ /

VERB

destroy; consume

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

break burst crack defeat devour eat level overthrow sink torpedo total undo wax wrack

WEAK

gobble up knock down put away put in toilet take apart take out tear down wipe off map

Antonyms

STRONGEST

build construct create help lose raise

STRONG

fasten fix mend strengthen surrender

WEAK

produce rebuild repair restore

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.

Katz also said Israeli forces had been ordered to demolish homes in Lebanese villages along the border to neutralise threats to Israeli communities.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

NAIROBI—A Kenyan court dismissed a lawsuit by a Maasai leader who sought to demolish a Ritz-Carlton luxury safari camp, alleging it blocked a key route of the famous Serengeti migration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 28, 2026

Superior Court Judge threw out the suit in September 2025, calling it “an ill-disguised motion to win so they can demolish the home.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

Amazon, which is purchasing the 35-acre site, can now apply for permits to demolish a closed restaurant on the property and start construction.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 21, 2026

His mind shriveled as he thought of the unanswerable, mad arguments with which O’Brien would demolish him.

From "1984" by George Orwell

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