demolish
/dɪˈmɒlɪʃ/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈmɑːlɪʃ/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈmä-lish/ (ame, mw)
demolish — verb
- demolishpresent simple I / you / we / they
- demolisheshe / she / it
- demolishedpast simple
- demolishing-ing form
1. to deliberately cause a building or other large structure to fall to the ground,
to deliberately cause a building or other large structure to fall to the ground, usually so the land can be used for something new
The city decided to demolish the old hospital to build a new school in its place.
demolish + old hospital + to build
Workers will demolish the abandoned factory next week and turn the area into a park.
future: will demolish + purpose clause
Mei-Lin watched as the team demolished the leaky greenhouse on her uncle's farm.
Diego's family hired a company to demolish the unsafe garage behind their house.
After the earthquake, officials had to demolish several damaged apartment blocks.
- tear down
less formal, often for buildings
- knock down
informal, emphasises the physical action
- raze
formal, literature; suggests reducing to ground level
- level
emphasises making the ground flat after removal
文法句型
demolish + noun phrase (building/structure)
用法筆記
Frequently used for planned, intentional destruction carried out by people or organisations, not for accidental damage or natural disasters. The subject is typically a city council, company, developer, or construction team.
常見錯誤
2. to show through reasoning or clear evidence that a particular idea, claim, or ar
to show through reasoning or clear evidence that a particular idea, claim, or argument cannot be correct or believable
Professor Ananya demolished the leading theory in genetics with one simple experiment.
demolish + theory + with + evidence
Oliver's lawyer demolished the prosecution's case by pointing out missing evidence.
Farah's research paper demolishes the old claim that language only develops in early childhood.
The journalist demolished every argument the politician made about tax cuts.
Chidi's careful study of historical records demolished the myth that the building was ever a palace.
- disprove
more neutral and formal; focuses on proof
- debunk
informal; exposes a claim as false or exaggerated
- refute
formal; argues against with evidence
- shoot down
informal; strongly reject an idea
文法句型
demolish + noun phrase (argument/theory/claim)
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person, study, report, or piece of evidence. The object must be an abstract idea — a theory, argument, claim, case, or myth — never a person.
常見錯誤
3. to beat a player, team, or opponent very easily and by a wide margin, especially
to beat a player, team, or opponent very easily and by a wide margin, especially in a sport or competition
Vikram's chess club demolished every opponent in the city tournament last weekend.
demolish + opponent in competition context
Mateo demolished the previous record by finishing the race nearly a minute faster.
The visiting team demolished the home side five–nil in front of their own fans.
Omar's debate team demolished the defending champions in the final round.
Ingrid demolished her competitor in the baking contest with a flawless chocolate cake.
- crush
informal; same level of force
- thrash
informal; especially British, for a severe defeat
- rout
formal; a disorganised, complete defeat
- wipe the floor with
very informal; emphatic, dramatic
文法句型
demolish + noun phrase (team/opponent/record)
用法筆記
Common in sports, games, and competitive events. Implies a very wide gap in performance — a close match cannot be described this way.
常見錯誤
4. to finish a serving of food very quickly, usually because you are very hungry or
to finish a serving of food very quickly, usually because you are very hungry or because it tastes very good
After the long hike, Yuki sat down and demolished a huge bowl of noodles in minutes.
demolish + bowl of noodles
Jack was so hungry after practice that he demolished an entire pizza by himself.
Sofia's little brother demolished his birthday cake before anyone could take a photo.
Deepak returned from the market and demolished the plate of dumplings his mother had left for him.
- wolf down
informal; eat greedily and fast
- polish off
informal; finish all of something
- devour
slightly more formal; eat hungrily
- gobble up
informal; eat noisily and quickly
文法句型
demolish + noun phrase (meal/food)
用法筆記
Informal register. Usually describes one person finishing their own portion in a single sitting, not a group sharing food. Can be playful or admiring.
常見錯誤
5. to break or damage something so severely that it is ruined, smashed, or no longe
to break or damage something so severely that it is ruined, smashed, or no longer works
Elena's wooden fence was demolished by the strong wind during the storm.
passive: was demolished by + natural force
Hassan accidentally demolished the model castle he had spent three weeks building.
Amara's puppy demolished a pair of her favourite leather shoes while she was at work.
Hiroshi dropped the vase and demolished it into dozens of tiny pieces on the floor.
The children's older toys were demolished after years of rough play.
文法句型
demolish + noun phrase (object)
用法筆記
Describes both accidental and deliberate destruction of physical objects. Unlike sense 1 (building demolition), this sense does not require planning or a human agent — animals, weather, and accidents are all common subjects.