raze to the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raze to the ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the complete destruction of a building or structure, often by demolition or fire. Example: "The old factory was deemed unsafe and was scheduled to be razed to the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

M.S.F. said that it was "disgusted" by the Afghan government's statements, which to the group suggested that the call for air strikes was a conscious decision "to raze to the ground a fully functioning hospital".

The New Yorker

He lives all alone in his rickety old house which horrid tycoons want to raze to the ground to complete the expansion of some soulless mall/condo development: the voice of a well-meaning construction worker is provided by John Ratzenberger, once mailman Cliff on TV's Cheers, and now a talismanic presence in all Pixar animations.

The Guardian - Film

"These statements imply that Afghan and U.S. forces working together decided to raze to the ground a fully functioning hospital - with more than 180 staff and patients inside - because they claim that members of the Taliban were present.

Huffington Post

According to the study, it would cost more than $22 million to stabilize, $31 million to make even partially publicly accessible, north of $50 million to restore, and $14 million just to raze to the ground.

Vice

"These statements imply that Afghan and US forces working together decided to raze to the ground a fully functioning hospital with more than 180 staff and patients inside because they claim that members of the Taliban were present," MSF said.

Vice

The anti-poaching units it funds "are frequently said to raze to the ground any Baka camps they come upon … and to destroy or confiscate any property they are able to seize," Survival International states.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The building was razed to the ground.

The Guardian

Villages are razed to the ground.

The Guardian

It's been razed to the ground.

The Guardian - Travel

Insanitary slums were razed to the ground.

The Guardian

About 440 villages were razed to the ground.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "raze to the ground" when you want to emphasize the thorough and complete destruction of a structure or area. It often carries a connotation of finality.

Common error

Avoid using "raze to the ground" for minor demolitions or removals. The phrase implies a significant and often forceful destruction; using it inappropriately can sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raze to the ground" functions as a verb phrase indicating a complete action of destruction. Ludwig shows it's used to describe the forceful demolition or eradication of structures and places.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Film

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "raze to the ground" effectively conveys complete destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its usage is generally neutral, appearing frequently in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "demolish completely" and "level to the ground" exist, "raze to the ground" carries a particular emphasis on finality and eradication. Be mindful of overusing it in less dramatic scenarios, as it can sound hyperbolic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demolish completely

Focuses on the act of demolition without necessarily implying total destruction.

level to the ground

Emphasizes the act of making something flat with the ground.

tear down

A more general term for demolition, can be partial or complete.

knock down

Similar to tear down, but implies a more forceful action.

flatten completely

Stresses the resultant flatness after destruction.

destroy utterly

Highlights the completeness of the destruction.

wipe off the map

Figurative expression suggesting complete annihilation.

obliterate entirely

Stresses complete removal or erasure.

bulldoze

Implies destruction using heavy machinery.

pulverize

Suggests reducing something to dust or powder.

FAQs

What does "raze to the ground" mean?

The phrase "raze to the ground" means to completely destroy a building, town, or other structure so that nothing is left standing.

What can I say instead of "raze to the ground"?

You can use alternatives like "demolish completely", "level to the ground", or "tear down" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "raze to the ground"?

It is appropriate to use "raze to the ground" when describing the complete and utter destruction of a place or structure, often with force or intention. It's stronger than simply saying something was "destroyed".

Is "raze to the ground" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase "raze to the ground" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in news reporting, historical accounts, and descriptive writing. It's generally considered a neutral expression.