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.

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

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

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

People living on a street at severe risk of flooding are set to discover whether plans to buy and demolish their homes will go ahead.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

One day word came that the authorities had decided not to demolish all of Alexandra at one go, but in stages.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

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