What is the Difference Between Abolish and Demolish?

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The main difference between "abolish" and "demolish" lies in their usage and meaning:

  • Abolish: This term refers to the official end or stopping of a law, system, practice, or institution. It is often used in the context of repealing or removing a law or policy, such as "We abolished slavery 200 years ago".
  • Demolish: This term means to destroy or damage something so that it cannot be repaired, typically referring to buildings, structures, or physical objects. It is often used to describe the destruction of buildings, bridges, roads, and other structures, such as "My old apartment was demolished yesterday".

In summary:

  • Abolish is used to refer to laws, practices, systems, and institutions, and it means to officially put an end to something.
  • Demolish is used to refer to buildings and other structures, and it means to destroy or damage something so that it cannot be repaired.

Comparative Table: Abolish vs Demolish

Here is a table comparing the differences between "abolish" and "demolish":

Term Meaning Usage Noun
Abolish To officially end or stop something, e.g., a law, system, or practice Laws, practices, systems, and institutions Abolishment
Demolish To destroy or tear down something, e.g., a building or structure Buildings and other structures Demolishment or Demolition

Key differences between "abolish" and "demolish" include:

  • Meaning: Abolish means to officially put an end to something, while demolish means to destroy or damage something so that it cannot be repaired.
  • Use: Abolish refers to laws, practices, systems, and institutions, while demolish refers to buildings and other structures.
  • Noun: The noun of "abolish" is "abolishment," while the noun of "demolish" is "demolishment" or "demolition".