Meaning

(transitive) To cause to become ruined or put into disrepair..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To cause to become ruined or put into disrepair.
2. (transitive, figurative) To squander or waste.
3. (intransitive, archaic) To fall into ruin or disuse.
4. (archaic, obsolete) dilapidated

Example Sentences

If the bishop, parson, or vicar, etc., dilapidates the buildings, or cuts down the timber of the patrimony[…]

In the last days of autumn he had whitewashed the chalet, painted the doors, windows, and veranda, repaired the roof and interior, and improved the place so much that the landlord had warned him that the rent would be raised at the expiration of his twelvemonth's tenancy, remarking that a tenant could not reasonably expect to have a pretty, rain-tight dwelling-house for the same money as a hardly habitable ruin. Smilash had immediately promised to dilapidate it to its former state at the end of the year.

The patrimony of the bishopric of Oxon was much dilapidated.

Word Forms

• dilapidates
• dilapidating
• dilapidated
• more dilapidate
• most dilapidate

Related Words

When Should You Use Dilapidate?

Use dilapidate when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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