Pronunciation: [ɹˈe͡ɪzɪz] (IPA) 
The word "razes" is spelled with a silent "z", therefore it is pronounced as /ˈreɪzɪz/. The word is commonly used as a verb and it means to destroy completely. Although the spelling of the word might seem confusing, it is important to remember that the "z" is not pronounced, and only serves to indicate that the word is a verb. So, if you want to use "razes" in a sentence, just make sure to remember the silent "z".
Razes is a verb that typically refers to the act of completely destroying or wiping out a structure, building, or settlement so that it is reduced to rubble or ruins. It indicates a deliberate and thorough demolition of the physical structure, thereby decimating every part of it. This term is commonly used to describe the actions of an army or military forces engaging in warfare, where they purposefully obliterate an enemy stronghold or fortified position, rendering it unusable.
The term "razes" is often associated with extensive damage caused by fire, explosives, or heavy machinery, resulting in a leveled or flattened terrain. It implies the eradication of all physical evidence of the previous structure's existence. Historical records frequently document instances where cities or towns were razed as an act of conquest, revenge, or collective punishment in warfare.
Furthermore, "razes" can also be figuratively employed to describe dismantling or demolishing an idea, belief, or system. In these contexts, it signifies an intentional effort to deconstruct or invalidate a concept, rendering it ineffective or irrelevant.
Overall, "razes" conveys a sense of complete destruction, erasure, or removal, both in the physical and metaphorical realms. Whether referring to the annihilation of a physical structure or the debunking of an ideology, the term depicts a process of complete and exhaustive elimination.
The word "razes" is derived from the Latin word "radere", which means "to scrape" or "to erase". This Latin term eventually evolved into the Old French word "raser", which had the same meaning. In English, "razes" is the third-person singular form of the verb "raze", which means to completely destroy, erase, or level to the ground.
