demolir
Ils ont décidé de démolir le vieux bâtiment pour construire un parking.
They decided to demolish the old building to build a parking lot.
to demolish (to destroy a structure completely)
La mairie a ordonné de démolir les maisons insalubres.
The city hall ordered the demolition of the unsanitary houses.
Ce projet vise à démolir les barrières commerciales.
This project aims to dismantle trade barriers.
In a figurative sense, 'démolir' can also mean to destroy someone's reputation or to defeat someone decisively.
to knock down (to hit someone hard)
Il a démoli son adversaire au premier round.
He knocked down his opponent in the first round.
Common in sports contexts, especially boxing.
Collocations
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Common Mistake: 'Démolir' vs. 'Détruire'
'Détruire' is more general and can mean to destroy anything, while 'démolir' specifically implies the destruction of a structure or the defeat of someone/something. For example, 'détruire un document' (to destroy a document) vs. 'démolir un bâtiment' (to demolish a building).
Gold Rule
Literal vs. Figurative Meaning
Always check the context: 'démolir' can mean physical destruction (literal) or metaphorical defeat/reputation damage (figurative).
Word Origin
From Latin 'demoliri' (to destroy, to pull down), from 'de-' (down) + 'moliri' (to build, to construct). The word entered French in the 14th century.
Usage Notes
The verb 'démolir' is transitive and requires a direct object. It is commonly used in both literal (physical destruction) and figurative (reputation, records) contexts.