demolition

noun

ˌde-mə-ˈli-shən How to pronounce demolition (audio)
Definition of demolitionnext
as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless several condemned buildings around the city are undergoing demolition as part of the revitalization program

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demolition Stadium plans City staff said the project could begin with demolition in the Crown Center area in January, and then breaking ground for the new stadium construction in May 2027. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 18 Aug. 2026 Although no work is currently being completed at 701 Woodruff, Wesley Heights resident Chris Allred — who has been vocally against the developments — said there had been demolition inside the house, which has since stopped. — Diamy Wang august 15, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026 Should Landmarks greenlight the church’s demolition, Hirshman said an Article 78 lawsuit would be filed, challenging the decision. — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026 At the time of demolition, almost 26,000 people had signed an online petition to keep the house standing, the Miami Herald reported at the time. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for demolition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolition
  1. destruction
  2. devastation
  3. havoc
  4. extinction
  5. loss
Noun
  • Despite the destruction, officials said no injuries had been reported in the city.
    — Ross DiMattei, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Her home was not damaged during the back-to-back hurricanes that hit Florida in 2024, but many people close to her experienced flooding and other destruction to their homes, businesses and schools.
    — Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of destruction
Noun
  • The mall’s survival amid the community’s devastation was not without controversy given Caruso’s use of private firefighters to ward off the flames.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Security camera photos show the devastation caused by flooding in Metamora, Indiana, where numerous businesses were damaged after severe weather hit on Wednesday.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of devastation
Noun
  • The wingers were the stand-out performers during the pre-season trip to Asia, with Antoine Semenyo in particular — but also Savinho — causing havoc with their dribbling.
    — Sam Lee, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The havoc a hacker wreaks using their attack could be catastrophic.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of havoc
Noun
  • While an entire neighborhood (or more) is threatened with extinction-by-dinosaur, the fate of Starbuck (real-life dogs Buzz and Brisket share the role), featured prominently in the movie’s trailer, seems to have stirred up the most internet agita.
    — Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps the species has a core memory of how humanity almost hunted them to extinction.
    — Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of extinction
Noun
  • Finding the balance between preserving clubhouse culture and throwing future pieces into the fire remains complicated, even as the team dropped to 60-65 following Saturday’s 5-4 walk-off loss to the New York Mets.
    — Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Some of this can be attributed to a loss of trust in institutions, especially those tied to public health, thanks in part to the Covid-19 pandemic.
    — T.M. Brown, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of loss

Browse Nearby Words

demolishments
demolition
demolitions
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Demolition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolition. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on demolition

Nglish: Translation of demolition for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of august

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All