as in destruction
the state or fact of being rendered nonexistent, physically unsound, or useless
the virtual decimation of the coastal town by the hurricane
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Recent Examples of decimation
Now, the decimation of the environment and indigenous people across the world, from the palm oil plantations of Indonesia to the cobalt mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has reached the shores of Great Nicobar.
—
M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The decimation of critical institutions, like the NIH [National Institutes of Health] and the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], will lead to the loss of innocent lives.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 6 Sep. 2025
That purchase price represents a decimation of value for the retailer, which a decade ago had a market cap of more than $100 billion.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But if the administration's decimation of the IG community continues, IGs will be diminished and lack credibility, and Americans will continue to lose confidence in our government.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
The indiscriminate decimation of most homes and hospitals in Gaza, with a majority of those killed being women and children, was not expected.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
The indiscriminate decimation of most homes and hospitals in Gaza, with a majority of those killed being women and children, was not expected.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 10 Aug. 2025
Pompeii’s decimation remains one of history’s most famous natural disasters.
—Andrew Paul Aug 7, Popular Science, 7 Aug. 2025
M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The decimation of critical institutions, like the NIH [National Institutes of Health] and the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], will lead to the loss of innocent lives.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 6 Sep. 2025
That purchase price represents a decimation of value for the retailer, which a decade ago had a market cap of more than $100 billion.
—Amy Feldman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
But if the administration's decimation of the IG community continues, IGs will be diminished and lack credibility, and Americans will continue to lose confidence in our government.
—Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
The indiscriminate decimation of most homes and hospitals in Gaza, with a majority of those killed being women and children, was not expected.
—Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
The indiscriminate decimation of most homes and hospitals in Gaza, with a majority of those killed being women and children, was not expected.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 10 Aug. 2025
Pompeii’s decimation remains one of history’s most famous natural disasters.
—Andrew Paul Aug 7, Popular Science, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimation
Noun
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The developing cauldron would trap Russian troops with few options beyond surrender or destruction.—
David Kirichenko,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Earth, meanwhile, has so far been unable to bring about its own destruction.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Rosie O'Donnell recalled her devastation over how her friendship with Ellen DeGeneres fell apart more than 20 years ago.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Indeed, moves toward open Saudi diplomatic recognition of Israel were stopped by Hamas’ attack and the global backlash that followed Israel’s ongoing devastation of Gaza.—
David Mednicoff,
The Conversation,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The story of the American lion is a tale of power, survival and eventual extinction.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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He was not involved in the latest research but has studied trends in insect extinction, noting that many insect genera have survived mass extinctions unscathed.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Turner made some key adjustments at the plate for this season to focus on creating havoc on the basepaths rather than hitting just for power.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Offensive line woes help Falcons cause havoc There were other issues leading to the problems that McCarthy faced, including injuries to backup left tackle Justin Skule and center Ryan Kelly.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Nate Faanes, found the right lineup combinations in Saturday night’s loss, even without starting defensive linemen Jaylon Johnson and DJ Burgess, the latter being out for the season with an upper-body injury.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
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Florida Democrats, weakened by years of losses and fractured messaging, continue to face a shrinking electorate.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Barcelona’s municipal government, which has been contending with a housing crisis that stems, in part, from the conversion of many apartments into Airbnbs, has yet to decide whether to allow the demolition, but Sagrada Família officials are resolute.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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But the situation quickly changed when the Department of Government Efficiency, led at the time by Elon Musk, began its demolition in the name of reducing waste in federal bureaucracy.—
Zack Savitsky,
Quanta Magazine,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decimation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimation. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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