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 mall. [demolished: verb]
Example
The wrecking ball was used to demolish the abandoned house. [demolish: verb]
Example
The opposing team was completely demolished by the home team. [demolished: past participle]
raze
Example
The city decided to raze the old stadium and build a new one. [raze: verb]
Example
The hurricane razed the entire town, leaving nothing standing. [razed: past tense]
Example
The army was ordered to raze the enemy's stronghold. [raze: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Demolish is more commonly used than raze in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between demolish and raze?
Raze is more formal than demolish and is often used in legal or official contexts.
