decimates

present tense third-person singular of decimate
as in destroys
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of the army's attack decimated the enemy's defenses beyond repair

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decimates This move effectively decimates the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which has conducted federal funds to NPR and PBS for nearly 60 years. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimates
Verb
  • What starts as a series that aims to subvert the heist genre at every turn – amped with thrilling life-or-death stakes, family dynamics, and explosive action – gives birth to an exploration of what drives us, sustains us, and ultimately destroys us.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 30 June 2026
  • Arrrives, destroys Femi and hands Main Event Jey the crown.
    Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar.
    Utkarsh Sood June 12, New Atlas, 12 June 2026
  • The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending.
    Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • So when the dog is lost in a severe storm that devastates the region and leaves many homeless, an overwhelmed Rose must balance the urgency of her search mission alongside the misfortune of others close to her.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 June 2026
  • Withholding effective treatment for chronic disease devastates lives and drives up healthcare costs.
    Karen R. Studer, Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • But now a new ultralight player shatters the silence with an impressive solo tent that not only drops in right around 2 lb (907 oz) but does it at half the price of some of the competition.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 June 2026
  • When a window shatters, your entire home is at risk of collapse or even being blown away.
    Alora Bopray, USA Today, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • But their relationship remains undefined, and kind of over after Carter drunkenly ruins Beulah's big party.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • The out-and-back Sand Canyon Trail (6 miles each way) passes a series of ancestral Puebloan ruins.
    Jamie Siebrase, Denver Post, 26 June 2026
Verb
  • Following the Oklahoma style, the team smashes Vidalia onions directly into the beef, making the patties superthin, then tops them with brown mustard, American cheese and pickles.
    Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
  • Pele controls the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a helpless Kalle Svensson.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • Kyle Busch wrecks Ron Hornaday under caution!
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • The change launches biannual arguments about the practice, wrecks havoc on sleep and has inspired voters to go to California polls.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 7 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Decimates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimates. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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