as in to destroy
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
the army's attack decimated the enemy's defenses beyond repair
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decimate
But by the early 1990s, industrial bottom trawlers had decimated cod stocks, and in 1992, the Canadian government instituted a moratorium on cod fishing, devastating the industry and ending a long-standing way of life.
—
Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
But this season, his production has completely fallen off — partially due to his own demise, partially because the lineup in front of him has been decimated by injuries.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
The missile infrastructure that backed it has been decimated.
—Andrew Ghalili, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Communities in Oklahoma have come together to support cleanup efforts and help neighbors whose homes were decimated.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Gina Decaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Mar. 2026
But this season, his production has completely fallen off — partially due to his own demise, partially because the lineup in front of him has been decimated by injuries.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
The missile infrastructure that backed it has been decimated.
—Andrew Ghalili, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Communities in Oklahoma have come together to support cleanup efforts and help neighbors whose homes were decimated.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
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Weeks later, his father was killed in a fire that destroyed the home Hamlin purchased to thank his parents for getting him into NASCAR.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Mar. 2026
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Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said its systems intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over the capital, Riyadh, and the kingdom’s eastern region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tens of thousands of giant sequoia seedlings and saplings are sprouting in a Sierra Nevada grove devastated by the 2021 KNP Complex fire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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The youngest in a family of famous actors, Carradine had been devastated by the death in 2009 of his half-brother David Carradine in a Bangkok hotel room and never quite recovered, the actor admitted over the years.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The evening's historic tie almost gets totally ruined For only the seventh time in history, the Oscar vote ended in a tie.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Thousands of homes were demolished in the blaze.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
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The project was announced earlier this year alongside a $50 million grant from Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta to help demolish the existing government buildings and prepare for new construction.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The storms shattered windows, tore off roofs and smashed vehicles in Kankakee.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
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Within 10 minutes, her windows shattered, the front door blew open and drywall started falling on top of her.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Kim Gartner, whose nephew's property was wrecked in storms overnight in Kankakee, described softball-sized hail that shattered car windows.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
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That last 100 meters is the part that will wreck you.—
Kevin Sintumuang,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Have a little fun in the kitchen smashing the tiny spuds before seasoning with garlic and rosemary.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
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In a game where the Stars smashed the Oilers, Hryckowian was pestering Edmonton players all night en route to drawing four penalties.—
R.J. Coyle,
Dallas Morning News,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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