demolish

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'demolish' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of destroying or knocking down a building or structure. Example sentence: They demolished the old abandoned building to make room for a new apartment complex.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While bombs did some damage, they did nothing compared with a disastrous postwar planner, Rowland Nicholas, who sought to demolish much of the city – even the town hall – to rebuild a socialist utopia.

The Guardian

The nursery – which was shut at the end of March, leaving 15 pre-school children with nowhere to go – has become the focal point for protests against Barnet council's plans to demolish 400 council homes on the Dollis Valley estate, sell off the land for £11m and build a mix of private and social housing.

The Guardian

In America, he wanted to demolish financial institutions such as the New York stock exchange and World Bank.

The Guardian

If he decides to demolish Douglas quickly, it will probably be an attempt to get an early plane out.

The Guardian - Sport

The group warned Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King that efforts to keep the world below 2C of warming will demolish the value of carbon-heavy assets listed in the City of London, creating a "carbon bubble" that will impact institutional investors and pension funds.

The Guardian

Plans to demolish it would be resisted by an army of conservationists.

The Guardian - Travel

Second, it falls into that happy category of desserts masquerading as drinks, which means it is quite acceptable to put one away while you're waiting for your food to arrive, then demolish another one immediately afterwards, even as you wave away suggestions of pudding.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An unprecedented scheme to buy and demolish Canberra homes riddled with asbestos could begin as early as next week after parliament approved $750m for the project.

The Guardian

That would give David Cameron too tempting a target to resist as he seeks to demolish Brown's standing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sinisa Mihajlovic went so far as to draw comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo after watching the player demolish his Sampdoria side at the start of the week.

The Guardian - Sport

As Mr Buchan puts it, "it was as if [the shah's] haste to force modernity on Iran was matched by a haste to demolish it, and the conflicts of centuries were being squeezed into half a dozen years".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "demolish" metaphorically to describe thoroughly defeating an argument or opponent, but be mindful of the tone, as it can sound aggressive or overly dramatic.

Common error

While "demolish" is a strong and valid word, avoid using it excessively in formal writing, especially in academic or business contexts. Overusing it can make your writing sound less objective and more sensational. Opt for more neutral terms like "dismantle", "refute", or "invalidate" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The verb "demolish" functions primarily to describe the act of destroying or dismantling something, often a physical structure. Ludwig provides examples where "demolish" is used both literally, referring to buildings, and metaphorically, indicating the destruction of an argument or idea.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "demolish" is a versatile verb meaning to destroy or dismantle something completely. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, from physical destruction to metaphorical defeats. Its high frequency in news and media underscores its relevance in conveying impactful events and arguments. While generally neutral, it's important to consider the tone, particularly in formal writing, opting for alternatives like "dismantle" or "refute" for nuanced communication. Therefore, "demolish" is a potent word that writers can use effectively when they want to communicate definitive destruction or defeat.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tear down

Focuses specifically on the physical act of dismantling or taking apart a structure.

knock down

Similar to "tear down", but often implies a quicker, more forceful action of destruction.

destroy completely

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the destruction.

flatten

Implies reducing something to a level surface through destruction.

raze to the ground

Suggests a complete and utter destruction, leaving nothing standing.

crush utterly

Focuses on the idea of completely overpowering or defeating something, whether physical or metaphorical.

take apart

Emphasizes the process of dismantling or disassembling something.

level

Implies bringing something to a uniform height or state, often through destruction or removal.

bring down

Can refer to both physical demolition and the act of overthrowing a system or person.

wreck

Indicates severe damage or destruction, often leaving something unusable.

FAQs

How can I use "demolish" in a sentence?

You can use "demolish" to describe the act of tearing down a building, as in, "They will "demolish" the old factory next month". It can also be used metaphorically, such as, "The lawyer "demolished" the witness's credibility on the stand".

What are some synonyms for "demolish"?

Synonyms for "demolish" include "destroy", "raze", "tear down", and "knock down". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "demolish" in a formal context?

Yes, "demolish" can be used in formal contexts, but consider the specific nuance you want to convey. In some cases, a more neutral term like "dismantle" or "deconstruct" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "demolish" and "dismantle"?

"Demolish" generally implies a complete and often forceful destruction, while "dismantle" suggests taking something apart piece by piece, often with the intent of reassembling it or reusing the components. For example, you might "demolish" an old building, but "dismantle" a machine.