demolish
dih-MOL-ishverbMeaning to knock down or destroy completely
Memory hook DEMO-LISH: the tower comes DOWN. Theo spends one second looking at his sister’s tall block tower, then knocks the whole thing flat; he can demolish it faster than anyone can build it.
The crew will demolish the old warehouse to make room for a park.
In context The debate champion did more than disagree with her opponent’s claim; she demolished it, showing that every one of his facts was wrong.
Similar tear down, level, flatten, knock down
Opposite build, construct, erect
From Latin demoliri, “to tear down”: de- (down) + moliri (to build, to heave a great mass).