razing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "razing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of completely destroying or demolishing a building or structure. Example: "The old factory was razed to make way for a new shopping center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Out in the countryside among the multicoloured mountains, the dirt of tractors and trucks belonging to the mining facility can be seen from miles, razing the land, and emptying dirt into the nearby water.

The Guardian

Razing it, now a distinct possibility, will become a damaging symbol too.It goes without saying that the Dome is not enough, in the scheme of things, to do fatal damage to the government's reputation.

The Economist

Razing its forest to prime the land yields an immediate uptick in economic activity, and this seems to be just what the space-based analysis captures.

The Economist

As a serious effort to make standing forests more valuable than razing them for agriculture, it is unprecedented.

The Economist

Some councils are already doing exactly that last year, Newcastle pulled down 700 houses and Manchester is razing 1,000 houses a year.

The Economist

"We may not want to, but we do what is necessary," he said.The army is supposed to protect oil firms, but its soldiers have an inflammatory habit of shooting people and razing villages.

The Economist

Land grabbers often follow, or stake their claim to virgin forest by razing and burning the trees and turning the land into pasture.

The Economist

The country is accused of promoting agriculture by razing the Amazon forest.

The Economist

It pronounced that 2012 was a year of "negative trends" including the harassment and jailing of religious believers in China, from Uighur Muslims to Catholic clergy; deportations from Saudi Arabia of expatriates who challenged Islam's monopoly; the abuse of laws against "extremism" in Russia; the razing of churches in Sudan; and the ill-treatment of religious prisoners in Uzbekistan.

The Economist

Whatever Mr Fogh Rasmussen's views of Ms Eversen's crusade, he will not shed any tears over the house's razing.

The Economist

Petroecuador, the state oil company, is preparing to do the same, razing forest to build a road in an adjacent area.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing urban development or renewal projects, use "razing" to convey the deliberate and complete removal of existing structures to make way for new construction. This can highlight the scale and impact of the redevelopment.

Common error

Avoid using "razing" metaphorically when a less forceful term would suffice. While it can be tempting to use "razing" to describe the dismantling of ideas or plans, it is best reserved for instances where the destruction is literal or nearly so. Overusing it can diminish its impact and sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "razing" is as a present participle of the verb "raze". It's used to describe an ongoing action of completely destroying something. Ludwig confirms this through its example sentences, where "razing" frequently appears describing the process of demolition or destruction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "razing" functions as a present participle describing the action of completely destroying something. Ludwig shows that it is grammatically correct and very common, predominantly used in news and encyclopedic contexts to convey objective information about demolition or destruction. When writing, reserve it for literal or near-literal destruction to avoid dilution and overuse. Related terms such as "demolishing", "leveling", and "tearing down" can offer suitable alternatives depending on the desired nuance. As Ludwig AI confirms, "razing" is usable and correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demolishing

Emphasizes the act of tearing down or breaking apart a structure, similar to razing but can apply to partial destruction.

leveling

Suggests making something flat or even, often implying complete removal of vertical structures.

destroying

A broader term indicating ruin or devastation, which can encompass more than just physical structures.

tearing down

Implies a forceful dismantling or demolition of a structure.

knocking down

Suggests a quick and forceful act of causing a structure to fall.

bulldozing

Specifically refers to using a bulldozer for demolition, emphasizing the method of destruction.

eradicating

Implies complete removal, often used for abstract concepts but applicable to physical structures in a metaphorical sense.

obliterating

Suggests complete and utter destruction, leaving no trace behind.

wiping out

Indicates a complete removal or destruction, often of a population or species.

annihilating

Suggests total destruction and elimination, typically used in contexts of war or conflict.

FAQs

How is "razing" typically used in a sentence?

"Razing" is used as a verb, often in the present participle form, to describe the act of completely destroying a structure. For example, "The city council is "razing" the old buildings to construct a new park."

What are some alternatives to the word "razing"?

Alternatives to "razing" include "demolishing", "leveling", or "tearing down". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "razing" in a metaphorical sense?

While "razing" is primarily used for physical destruction, it can be used metaphorically to describe the complete dismantling of something non-physical, such as a plan or system. However, use caution to avoid exaggeration or melodrama, it's better to use words like "destroying".

What is the difference between "razing" and "demolishing"?

"Razing" often implies a more complete and thorough destruction than "demolishing". While demolishing can refer to partially dismantling a structure, "razing" typically suggests reducing it to the ground.