Search the Dictionary

The act of overthrowing, pulling down, or destroying a pile or structure; destruction by violence; utter overthrow; -- opposed to construction; as, the demolition of a house, of military works, of a town, or of hopes.

To corrupt or undermine in morals; to destroy or lessen the effect of moral principles on; to render corrupt or untrustworthy in morals, in discipline, in courage, spirit, etc.; to weaken in spirit or efficiency. The demoralizing example of profligate power and prosperous crime. Walsh. The vices of the nobility had dem…

He who, or that which, deodorizes; esp., an agent that destroys offensive odors.

That which is lost or destroyed. [R.] Paley.

To reduce by destroying or consuming the vital powers of; to exhaust, as a country of its strength or resources, a treasury of money, etc. Saturday Review.

depraved or degenerated; degeneracy; depravity. The depravation of his moral character destroyed his judgment. Sir G. C. Lewis.

To take away; to put an end; to destroy. [Obs.] 'Tis honor to deprive dishonored life. Shak.

Laid waste; in a ruinous condition; neglected; destroyed; as, desolate altars.

To destroy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

To destroy. [Obs.] Mede.

Liable to destruction; capable of being destroyed.

The act of destroying; a tearing down; a bringing to naught; subversion; demolition; ruin; slaying; devastation. The Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction. Esth. ix. 5. 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. Shak. Destruction…

One who delights in destroying that which is valuable; one whose principles and influence tend to destroy existing institutions; a destructive.

One who destroys; a radical reformer; a destructionist.

The quality of destroying or ruining. Prynne.

A destroyer. [R.] Fire, the destructive and the artificial death of things. Boyle.

To destroy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

often, a scheme to deceive; a stratagem; an artifice. His device in against Babylon, to destroy it. Jer. li. 11. Their recent device of demanding benevolences. Hallam. He disappointeth the devices of the crafty. Job v. 12.

To seize upon and destroy or appropriate greedily, selfishly, or wantonly; to consume; to swallow up; to use up; to waste; to annihilate. Famine and pestilence shall devour him. Ezek. vii. 15. I waste my life and do my days devour. Spenser.

To bring into a condition of decay or partial ruin, by misuse or through neglect; to destroy the fairness and good condition of; -- said of a building. If the bishop, parson, or vicar, etc., dilapidates the buildings, or cuts down the timber of the patrimony. Blackstone.