raze

verb

ˈrāz How to pronounce raze (audio)
razed; razing
Synonyms of raze

transitive verb

1
: to destroy to the ground : demolish
raze an old building
2
a
: to scrape, cut, or shave off
b
archaic : erase
razer noun

Synonyms of raze

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Examples of raze in a Sentence

an entire city block razed by a terrible fire the developer razed the old school building and built a high-rise condominium complex
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 1968 Britain considered evicting the family by force, with declassified documents showing a plan to raze the fort. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026 After razing huge warehouses in recent months belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s biggest online retailer, Ukrainian drones are now taking aim at Ozon, the country’s second-largest e-commerce company. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 An arts complex in Tbilisi, Georgia, is being razed despite protests from its architects and some members of the local community. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026 More than 100 firefighters battled a third-alarm blaze Monday that razed a popular restaurant and other businesses in a historic structure in Santa Clarita, but no injuries were reported. — City News Service, Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raze

Word History

Etymology

alteration of rase

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of raze was in the 14th century

Rhymes for raze

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Browse Nearby Words

ray tracing
raze
razee
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Cite this Entry

“Raze.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raze. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

raze

verb
ˈrāz How to pronounce raze (audio)
razed; razing
: to destroy completely by knocking down or breaking to pieces : demolish
razed the building
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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