verb

demolish

d-MOL-ihsh

verb

To tear down or destroy a building or structure, usually deliberately.

"Crews demolished the old stadium to make way for apartments."

"The council voted to demolish the derelict warehouse."

To thoroughly defeat, disprove, or destroy something such as an argument, theory, or opponent.

"Her closing argument demolished the defense's case."

"The champion demolished every challenger this season."

How to Use Demolish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo knock something down completely, or to crush an argument or opponent just as thoroughly.

Common pairings

demolish a building demolish an argument demolish the opposition

demolished past tense, demolishes singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Crews _____ the old stadium to make way for apartments.

From Middle French demoliss-, a form of demolir ("to tear down"), from Latin dēmōlior, "to pull down."

Polish abolish foolish