demolished

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "demolished" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when describing the destruction of a building or other structure. For example, "The old abandoned warehouse was demolished a few weeks ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is regrettable when homes need to be demolished, but Annington's decision to redevelop the estate will see an increase in the number of homes by more than 100%, from 142 to 288, and the inclusion of 20% affordable homes will see a minimum of 59 created where there were none before.

The Guardian

The brewery closed in 1988 and was largely demolished.

The Guardian - Travel

To add salt to the wound of those who felt this was wasted cash, despite Sheffield producing many sporting talents in this period (including Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis), Don Valley Stadium, where Ennis trained, finally closed in September 2013 due to extreme financial pressures, and has since been demolished.

The Guardian

Factories only recently abandoned in The Full Monty era have either been demolished or remain derelict.

The Guardian

John McEnroe calls it "the changing of the guard" and says if Djokovic wins his ninth slam title on Sunday he has a chance to be considered "an all-time great" alongside Rafael Nadal, whom he demolished in straight sets on Wednesday, and Roger Federer, who lost in the quarters to Stan Wawrinka the same afternoon.

The Guardian - Sport

A counterfeit version of Corbusier's Ronchamp chapel, a spellbinding building in eastern France, sprung up in Zhengzhou in the 1990s, but was demolished after the furious foundation weighed in.

The Guardian - Arts

The La Latina neighbourhood of Madrid was once home to a thriving market hall, and later a well-used community sporting facility, demolished in August 2009 to make way for planned improvements.

The Guardian

In the area of London around the Euston terminus, where hundreds of homes are going to be demolished, residents feel they have nothing like adequate guarantees of similar rehousing.

The Guardian

The improved hut (it dates from 1880 and has been closed since last summer) will have proper drains and heating, and be connected to the 100-year-old Matterhorn mountain lodge, whose later extensions will be demolished.

The Guardian - Travel

So in what sense was Britain "saved" and made "Great' again?" Helen Self Maidstone, Kent Byy saying trade unionism had "gone beyond the pale" in the late 70s and then bemoaning that Thatcher demolished the voice of "ordinary working people", David Stapleton (Letters, 18 April) demonstrates the kind of muddled thinking that has today's social democrats propping up a vicious right-wing government.

The Guardian

This is the same Lend Lease to which Southwark sold the giant Heygate estate at a knockdown price: 1,100 council flats in inner London to be demolished and replaced with 2,500 units, of which only 79 will be for "social rent".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "demolished" when you want to describe the act of completely tearing down a building or structure. It implies a thorough destruction, often for redevelopment or safety reasons.

Common error

Avoid using "demolished" to describe something that is merely damaged or slightly broken. "Demolished" suggests complete destruction, not just superficial harm.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "demolished" is as the past participle or simple past tense of the verb 'demolish'. Ludwig AI confirms that it is used to indicate the action of completely destroying a structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "demolished" functions as a past tense or past participle form of the verb 'demolish', signifying the complete destruction of a structure. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it's frequently used in various contexts, especially in news and media. While "demolished" suggests comprehensive destruction, alternatives like "razed", "torn down", or "dismantled" can provide nuanced variations. When using "demolished", ensure it aligns with the intensity of destruction, avoiding its application to minor damages. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and The Economist underscores its professional and neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destroyed

A more general term for causing irreparable damage or ruin.

razed to the ground

Focuses on complete destruction, leaving nothing standing.

reduced to rubble

Highlights the end result of destruction, leaving only debris.

torn down

Suggests a more forceful and possibly less planned removal.

knocked down

Implies a quick and forceful destruction, often of a smaller structure.

levelled

Implies making something flat by destroying what was above.

dismantled

Indicates a careful and systematic taking apart, rather than outright destruction.

pulled down

Suggests a deliberate action of bringing something down.

obliterated

Suggests a complete removal or erasure of something.

wrecked

Emphasizes the damage and ruin resulting from the destruction.

FAQs

How is "demolished" typically used in a sentence?

"Demolished" is usually used to describe the act of tearing down a building or structure completely. For example, "The old factory was "demolished" to make way for a new housing development."

What words can I use instead of "demolished"?

You can use alternatives such as "destroyed", "razed", or "torn down" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say a reputation was "demolished"?

While "demolished" primarily refers to physical structures, it can be used metaphorically. Saying a reputation was ""demolished"" suggests it was utterly ruined or destroyed, which is acceptable in certain contexts for emphasis.

What's the difference between "demolished" and "dismantled"?

"Demolished" implies complete destruction, whereas "dismantled" suggests taking something apart piece by piece. A building is "demolished", while a machine is typically "dismantled".