as in destroyed
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 decimated
Along the way, Disney’s attention to detail and historic trust in Imagineers like Joe Rhode has been decimated, and does not bode well for how much free rein Disney will or will not allow its creatives across divisions.
—
Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
The 2025 numbers represent the smallest annual job gains since the COVID-19 pandemic decimated the job market in 2020.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The crash decimated homes and vehicles, forcing families from their homes and businesses to shut their doors.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
The boll weevil decimated cotton crops in the South, leading to the closure of the exchange in 1920.
—Jim Halley, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimated
Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 5 Feb. 2026
The 2025 numbers represent the smallest annual job gains since the COVID-19 pandemic decimated the job market in 2020.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
The crash decimated homes and vehicles, forcing families from their homes and businesses to shut their doors.
—Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026
The boll weevil decimated cotton crops in the South, leading to the closure of the exchange in 1920.
—Jim Halley, AJC.com, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimated
Verb
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The storm that destroyed the home of Shaun and Karen Powers hit three months after the phone call that put an end to Coppermark’s strategy of flooding the insurance department with complaints.—
J.C. Hallman,
Oklahoman,
10 Feb. 2026
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The Talmud teaches that Jerusalem was destroyed not only because of hatred, but because of sinat chinam, baseless hatred fueled by moral absolutism.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Certain songs could be ruined forever.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
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Romero’s red card for a foul on Casemiro in the 29th minute of Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United on Saturday ruined Frank’s game plan.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Damaged beyond repair, the building was permanently closed and later demolished.—
Susannah Bryan,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
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After the closure of Toni’s Italian Restaurant’s Olathe location last year, city planning documents show the restaurant’s former building will soon be demolished alongside a handful of other buildings, as the city gears up for an ambitious overhaul of East Santa Fe Street.—
Kendrick Calfee
Updated February 4,
Kansas City Star,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The synthetic opioid is far more potent than heroin and has devastated communities across the country.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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Residents report the actual death toll exceeds 162, with villages devastated and survivors fleeing as government security forces faced criticism for delayed response.—
Pelumi Salako,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Richarlison had just scored, and all of the momentum was with Spurs, but Romero’s dismissal shattered their chances of finding an equaliser.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2026
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That tranquility was shattered when deputies with the Sheriff's Department had journalists leave the area and blocked off streets with deputies and traffic cones.—
Sarah Lapidus,
AZCentral.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The front lobby of Unicoi County Hospital was wrecked by devastating flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.—
Brett Kelman,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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That general manager wrecked the team.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For some reason, Scott got so hyped up during his performance that the rapper all of a sudden turned to the Fanatics sign on the wall behind him and smashed it, according to TMZ.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
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The cars, about 20 of them, had their windows smashed and looked as though they were made in the 1940s or 1950s.—
Kathleen Hill,
The Providence Journal,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decimated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimated. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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