What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
demolish
Example
The old factory was demolished to make way for a new shopping center. [demolished: verb]
Example
The workers will demolish the old bridge and build a new one in its place. [demolish: present tense]
Example
The team was able to demolish their opponents in the championship game. [demolish: verb]
destroy
Example
The hurricane destroyed many homes and businesses in the area. [destroyed: past tense]
Example
The fire completely destroyed the historic building. [destroyed: past participle]
Example
The army was able to destroy the enemy's stronghold with a well-planned attack. [destroy: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Destroy is more commonly used than demolish in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and stronger negative connotations. However, demolish is more commonly used in the context of construction or urban development.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between demolish and destroy?
Both demolish and destroy are strong verbs that convey a sense of finality and are generally used in informal or neutral contexts. However, demolish may be more formal in the context of construction or urban development, while destroy may be more informal in everyday language.
