raze
3 synonyms and 3 antonyms for raze, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To tear a building, town, or structure down completely, leaving nothing standing.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use raze
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
razed to the ground
raze a building
razed the town
Etymology
From Old French raser ("to shave, to graze, to demolish"), from Vulgar Latin roots meaning "to scrape or shave" — the same family that gave English "razor" and "erase."
Full origin of raze →Frequently asked questions
What does “raze” mean?
The word “raze” means to tear a building, town, or structure down completely, leaving nothing standing. In plain terms, to flatten something completely, usually a building or town, so nothing is left standing.
How do you pronounce “raze”?
“Raze” is pronounced rayz (/ɹeɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “raze” in a sentence?
Here is “raze” used in a sentence: “The old cinema was razed to make way for a shopping centre.”
What part of speech is “raze”?
“Raze” is a verb.
Where does the word “raze” come from?
The word “raze” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French raser ("to shave, to graze, to demolish"), from Vulgar Latin roots meaning "to scrape or shave" — the same family that gave English "razor" and "erase.".
How many meanings does “raze” have?
“Raze” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to tear a building, town, or structure down completely, leaving nothing standing.
