raze

verb

ˈrāz How to pronounce raze (audio)
Definition of razenext
1
as in to demolish
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of an entire city block razed by a terrible fire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to destroy
to destroy (as a building) completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces the developer razed the old school building and built a high-rise condominium complex

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of raze Nearby, developers have built big hotels and condo towers, and it’s always seemed inevitable that the bungalows would be razed and replaced. — Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2025 Another federal judge temporarily blocked DOGE from obtaining sensitive information from the Education Department, an organization conservatives dearly want to raze, or the Office of Personnel and Management. — Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025 To Bigelow, the scene recalled an image from a 1961 fire that razed Bel Air, about five miles from the Palisades. — Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2025 Some Joshua trees will, almost inevitably, be razed for solar farms. — Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raze
  1. demolish
  2. destroy
  3. ruin
  4. devastate
  5. shatter
  6. wreck
  7. smash
Verb
  • The station shares a name with Spurs’ former home, which overlapped this site and was demolished as the modern structure, which opened in April 2019, was built.
    — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Though the interior of the building was demolished, the Art Deco facade was and is still considered a historical landmark and remains intact.
    — Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of demolish
Verb
  • Many of the early hires were believed to be young tech engineers with little to no government experience, prompting criticism from Democrats and unions that critical government services and systems would be cut or destroyed.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The Palisades and Eaton fires burned more than 40,000 acres and destroyed at least 12,000 buildings.
    — Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    — Simone Jasper, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Curtis left her job as a deputy in August 2023 and sued the county soon after, claiming in court documents that Anderson’s harassment ruined her reputation and career with the county.
    — Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • This decision devastated Ajax, whose honor and ego were deeply wounded.
    — Antonis Kocheilas, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • When Hurricane Milton ripped through Tampa Bay on October 9, less than two weeks had passed since Hurricane Helene struck the same area, and the region was devastated.
    — Chad Jennings, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • Over the past year, women’s sports have shattered viewership records.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Come October, the sound of a puck skimming across ice and players crashing into the boards surrounding a hockey rink may shatter the 2 1/2-year silence.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • Part of the franchise’s challenge is to incorporate Leonard without wrecking team chemistry.
    — Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Back in the fortress, the Man of Steel scolds Krypto for wrecking the joint while he was gone.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of wreck
Verb
  • Kamikaze sank their first ship on Oct. 25, 1944, when a navy Zero pilot smashed into the USS St. Lo in the Philippine Sea while carrying a pair of 550-pound bombs.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Carlson was wearing a helmet and smashing the windows of the apartment, and going in and out of the house to get gas cans from his truck, the document said.
    — Mitchell Willetts, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of smash

Browse Nearby Words

rays
raze
razed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Raze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raze. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on raze

Nglish: Translation of raze for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)
See More

Popular

See More

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

8 Words with Fascinating Histories
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a game of hangman on lined paper
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All