demolish

/dɪˈmɑlɪʃ/

/dɪˈmɒlɪʃ/

Other forms: demolished; demolishing; demolishes

Demolish means “completely destroy,” as a wrecking ball might demolish a building, or as hanging out with one’s parents might, supposedly, demolish a teenager’s reputation.

In casual speech, demolish can also mean “devour,” as a group of hungry teenagers might demolish a pizza. The noun form of demolish is demolition, which often implies destruction by means of explosives. Demolish combines the prefix de-, which can mean “undo,” with the Latin verb moliri, meaning “to build" — which makes sense if you are thinking of 'undoing a building' with explosives!

Definitions of demolish

1. verb

   destroy completely
   “the wrecking ball demolished the building”

   “demolish your enemies”

   synonyms: pulverise, pulverize

   type of:

   destroy, destruct

   do away with, cause the destruction or undoing of
2. verb

   defeat soundly
   “The home team demolished the visitors”

   synonyms: destroy

   types:

   smash

   overthrow or destroy (something considered evil or harmful)

   swallow

   engulf and destroy

   cut to ribbons

   defeat totally

   type of:

   defeat, get the better of, overcome

   win a victory over
3. verb

   humiliate or depress completely
   synonyms: crush, smash

   type of:

   abase, chagrin, humble, humiliate, mortify

   cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of