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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decimate
Poaching later decimated the wildlife here, until 2003, when NGO African Parks began comanaging Liuwa alongside the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife and the Barotse Royal Establishment.
—
Mazuba Kapambwe, AFAR Media, 10 Sep. 2025
With the advent of online multiplayer, many casual gamers found that getting decimated online by pro-level players wasn’t quite worth the stress.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Months of Israeli bombardment have decimated civilian infrastructure in Khan Younis.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
For Chondwe, that conjured up nightmarish memories of the 1980s, '90s and early 2000s, when HIV had decimated his community.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Mazuba Kapambwe, AFAR Media, 10 Sep. 2025
With the advent of online multiplayer, many casual gamers found that getting decimated online by pro-level players wasn’t quite worth the stress.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2025
Months of Israeli bombardment have decimated civilian infrastructure in Khan Younis.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
For Chondwe, that conjured up nightmarish memories of the 1980s, '90s and early 2000s, when HIV had decimated his community.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
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In a poignant touch, the seating within is made of wood sourced from ancient cedar trees, which previously grew near a Japanese temple destroyed by the earthquake.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Sep. 2025
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His death destroyed the agent’s two-year path to take down the Invernizzi family.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
21 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On September 7, dog owner Brittany U'Wren was devastated to learn that her rescue Shitzu mix, named Lexi, had escaped through the garage and disappeared from her home in Lexington, Kentucky.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Ajok said that a friend, a fellow Ugandan athlete, told her that after taking medication and undergoing surgery in order to compete, they were left feeling devastated.—
Amy Woodyatt,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
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Doing so could compromise the slight taper at the hem, ruining the silhouette.—
Shea Simmons,
PEOPLE,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For McDaniel, seeing homeowners demolish old tile is enough to make her heart sink.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
19 Sep. 2025
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His jersey hung in his locker untouched at the old Busch Stadium until it was demolished in 2005.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office has identified the driver and passenger of a white pickup truck alleged to be throwing objects at moving cars and shattering their windshields, according to a sheriff’s social media post.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
19 Sep. 2025
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Black Rabbit is a propulsive thrill ride and character examination about the way an unbreakable bond between two brothers can shatter their world and everything in its orbit.—
Billie Melissa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The wooden bridge that was wrecked spans the Pfeiffer Redwood Creek ravine.—
Paul Rogers,
Mercury News,
19 Sep. 2025
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That wrecked longstanding fixtures with the old Western North Carolina character, like a place to buy bib overalls and the county courthouse.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Boiled potatoes, on the other hand, can be ready to mash, smash, or sauce in as little as 15 minutes.—
Molly Baz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Sep. 2025
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After a 15-year career in New Orleans smashing records with Payton, the now-46-year-old Brees connected with Payton's newest franchise QB this offseason as Nix spent several days traveling down to San Diego for visits.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 24 Sep. 2025.
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