demolish

verb

de·​mol·​ish di-ˈmä-lish How to pronounce demolish (audio)
demolished; demolishing; demolishes

transitive verb

1
a
: tear down, raze
demolish a building
b
: to break to pieces : smash
His car was demolished in the accident.
2
a
: to do away with : destroy
a filibuster which would effectively demolish the issueCurrent Biography
… a performance so awkward and apathetic it instantly appeared to demolish any chance of restoring her declining career …Dave Itzkoff
b
: to strip of any pretense of merit or credence
demolished her debate opponents
demolish a stereotype
demolisher noun
demolishment noun

Examples of demolish in a Sentence

The old factory was demolished to make way for a new parking lot. Tons of explosives were used to demolish the building. The town hopes to restore the old theater rather than have it demolished. The car was demolished in the accident. They demolished the other team 51–7.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No one was injured but city officials decided the situation could not continue and have made plans to demolish the structures and clear the site. Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025 Image The restaurant was closed when the fire came the night of Jan. 7, demolishing entire neighborhoods before the flames closed in on the diner. Corina Knoll, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 New Orleans demolished its most recent highest snow total, which was 2.7 inches in 1963. Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2025 The project, which was listed as the third highest priority in the Facilities Plan, included installing new screenings and grit removal facilities, demolishing an existing influent pump station and installing a new pump station, and making other improvements, according to a staff report. Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for demolish 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French demolir, extended stem demoliss- (with final conformed to earlier English verbs with the same ending, as nourish, perish), borrowed from Latin dēmōlīrī, dēmōlīre "to throw off, pull down, raze," from dē- de- + mōlīrī "to labor to bring about, strive, build, construct." probably derivative of mōlēs "large mass, massive structure, effort, exertion" — more at mole entry 4

First Known Use

1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of demolish was in 1560

Dictionary Entries Near demolish

Cite this Entry

“Demolish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/demolish. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

demolish

verb
de·​mol·​ish di-ˈmäl-ish How to pronounce demolish (audio)
b
: to break to pieces : smash 2 : to do away with : put an end to
demolisher noun
demolishment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on demolish

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