demolish

Etymology

Attested since the 16th century; from Middle French demoliss-, the stem of some conjugated forms of the verb demolir (“to destroy”, “to tear down”), from Latin dēmōlior (“I tear down”). Displaced native Old English tōweorpan (literally “to throw apart”).

verb

1. (literally) To destroy (buildings, etc.), especially in a planned or intentional fashion.
   They demolished the old mill and put up four townhouses.
   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. May 6 2020, Graeme Pickering, “Borders Railway: time for the next step”, in Rail, page 53
2. (figurative) To defeat, refute, discredit, or consume utterly (as a theory, belief or opponent).
   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. October 2, 2011, 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! November 30 2022, Paul Bigland, “Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland”, in RAIL, number 971, page 74