Synonyms of decimate

decimate

verb

ˈde-sə-ˌmāt 

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

• destroy
• demolish
• ruin
• devastate
• shatter
• wreck
• smash
• overcome
• damage
• annihilate
• erode
• vaporize
• ravage
• pulverize
• waste
• extinguish
• raze
• cripple
• desolate
• kill
• total
• mar
• tear down
• cream
• dismantle
• defeat
• rub out
• pull down
• crush
• nuke
• injure
• subdue
• remove
• wrack
• do in
• best
• break
• conquer
• impair
• spoil
• disintegrate
• blast
• eradicate
• harm
• disfigure
• trim
• obliterate
• mutilate
• deteriorate
• dissolve
• lick
• mangle
• rout
• exterminate
• prevail (over)
• master
• win (against)
• surmount
• trounce
• triumph (over)
• vitiate
• clobber
• assassinate
• scour
• beat
• thrash
• whip
• undo
• extirpate
• slaughter
• deface
• wear (away)
• dynamite
• sweep (away)
• expunge
• liquidate
• blow up
• slay
• overmatch
• scotch
• despoil
• trample
• disassemble
• sack
• overbear
• execute
• gut
• pillage
• wash out
• plunder
• fell
• wipe out
• havoc
• wallop
• efface
• unmake
• drub
• blot out
• take down
• massacre
• cut down
• stamp (out)
• loot
• murder
• zap
• butcher
• root (out)
• kill off
• dispatch
• snuff (out)
• dilapidate
• mow (down)
• vandalize
• skunk
• take out
• unbuild
• trash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• build
• construct
• raise
• create
• set up
• erect
• repair
• produce
• fix
• patch
• put up
• rear
• make
• protect
• establish
• invent
• form
• constitute
• found
• preserve
• assemble
• mend
• shape
• organize
• manufacture
• save
• fabricate
• forge
• revamp
• mold
• frame
• restore
• bring about
• conserve
• recondition
• institute
• fashion
• rebuild
• reconstruct
• doctor
• renovate
• father
• remodel

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of decimate

Those numbers tell a powerful story, including decimating a Children’s Services Council approved by county voters in 2000. — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026

Laptop Early Prime Day Deal Looking for a capable productivity laptop that won't decimate your bank account? — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026

The conflict in Gaza has left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and has decimated the enclave. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

Whaling and sealing—which would soon decimate island species—were in full swing. — Michele Metych Britannica Editors Sep. 14, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Sep. 2026

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