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.

An application to demolish the property was refused last year.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

Marshall’s plans to demolish a former youth hostel built during the Art Deco period to make way for a sports field was blocked by the Historic Preservation Board, which mandated he preserve the building’s facade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Raymond Barlow, from the council's building standards team, told BBC Scotland News that it was not possible to demolish the facade with a machine as it would cause an uncontrolled collapse.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

With their latest lawsuit, Milstein and Bank are seeking a court order allowing them to demolish the house and compensation for the decline in property value after the city’s decision to declare it a monument.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 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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