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.

Officials have approved plans to demolish the damaged complex and build a new hostel.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Millett also asked whether anything could be done if the government decided, for example, to demolish the Statue of Liberty.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

He added the operatives would work at a height above the danger and use hand tools to demolish the building.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 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

"Watch that temper, that's discipline, too. Learn to demolish your brotherly opponents with ideas, with polemic skill. The other is for our enemies. Save it for them. And go get some rest."

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Vocabulary lists containing demolish

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