different between demolish vs topple

English

Etymology

Attested since the 16th century; from Middle French demoliss-, the stem of some conjugated forms of the verb demolir (“to destroy”, “to tear down”), from Latin d?m?lior (“I tear down”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??m?l.??/

Verb

demolish (third-person singular simple present demolishes, present participle demolishing, simple past and past participle demolished)

1. To destroy.
2. (transitive, figuratively) To defeat or consume utterly (as a theory, belief or opponent).
   • 1992, Robert Rankin, The Antipope (page 68)

     The Captain folded his brow into a look of intense perplexity. 'You seem exceedingly spry for a man who demolished an entire bottle of brandy and better part of an ounce of shag in a single evening.'
     'And very nice too,' said the tramp. 'Now as to breakfast?'

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:destroy

Related terms

• demolition

Translations

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “demolish”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

Anagrams

• modelish

English

Etymology

From top +? -le (frequentative verb suffix).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?t?pl?/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?t?pl?/
• Rhymes: -?p?l
• Hyphenation: top?ple

Verb

topple (third-person singular simple present topples, present participle toppling, simple past and past participle toppled)

1. (transitive) to push, throw over, overturn or overthrow something

   The massed crowds toppled the statue of the former dictator.

2. (intransitive) to totter and fall, or to lean as if about to do so

   The pile of pennies began to topple.

Translations

Anagrams

• loppet