Which term refers to the act of completely demolishing something?

The term that refers to the act of completely demolishing something is "raze." This word specifically implies the total destruction or dismantling of a structure, often to the ground level. When something is razed, it is deliberately knocked down and removed, leaving no trace behind. This term derives from a sense of turning something into rubble or obliterating it entirely.

While "construct" relates to building or creating something new, "raise" implies lifting something to a higher position but does not convey destruction. "Maintain" refers to keeping something in the same condition or preserving it, which is entirely opposite to the act of demolishing. Therefore, "raze" stands out as the precise term for the complete demolition of an object or structure.