Definition of "demolish"

demolish

/dəˈmɒl.ɪʃ/

verb
third-person singular simple present demolishes, present participle demolishing, simple past and past participle demolished
1. (literally) To destroy (buildings, etc.), especially in a planned or intentional fashion.
  Quotations
  The force of the explosion demolished one pair of piers and two spans of the bridge crashed down into the river on top of the barges.
  1961 January, “Talking of Trains: The Severn Bridge disaster”, in Trains Illustrated, page 5
  At Hawick, nothing remains of the station, and the viaduct over the River Teviot is one of a number of bridges that were demolished or removed following closure.
  2020 May 6, Graeme Pickering, “Borders Railway: time for the next step”, in Rail, page 53
2. (figuratively) To defeat, refute, discredit, or consume utterly (as a theory, belief or opponent).
  Quotations
  The Captain folded his brow into a look of intense perplexity. 'You seem exceedingly spry for a man who demolished an entire bottle of brandy and better part of an ounce of shag in a single evening.''And very nice too,' said the tramp. 'Now as to breakfast?'
  1992, Robert Rankin, The Antipope, page 68
  Andrew Johnson scored a hat-trick as Fulham demolished London rivals Queens Park Rangers to win their Premier League fixture of the season.
  2011 October 2, Kevin Core, “Fulham 6 - 0 QPR”, in BBC Sport‎
  The table opposite me is occupied by a young couple with a table full of alcohol and snacks. In a role reversal, he is drinking Smirnoff Ice while she steadily demolishes a six-pack of lager!
  2022 November 30, Paul Bigland, “Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland”, in RAIL, number 971, page 74

Definition of "demolish"

demolish

verb

Quotations

Quotations