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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decimate
But the network collapsed over the last two years, most catastrophically when Israel decimated Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia, clearing the way to June’s direct assault on Iran.
—
Richard Hall, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
As capital flows ever upward, vast swaths of the economy are left decimated.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
The trade center was decimated when al-Qaida hijackers crashed jets into its twin towers, part of a coordinated attack that also sent planes into the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
—CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The disease decimated southern elephant seals, as hundreds of dead pups appeared along the Patagonian coast of Argentina.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Richard Hall, Time, 28 Feb. 2026
As capital flows ever upward, vast swaths of the economy are left decimated.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
The trade center was decimated when al-Qaida hijackers crashed jets into its twin towers, part of a coordinated attack that also sent planes into the Pentagon and a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
—CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
The disease decimated southern elephant seals, as hundreds of dead pups appeared along the Patagonian coast of Argentina.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
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The port has already planted acres of mangroves and sea grass and donated the land to the state of Florida to offset the habitat that would be destroyed during dredging.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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The reasons for this cautious response are many, ranging from the precarious diplomatic implications of the conflict, disruptions to its energy security, and the embarrassing implications of allowing an ally to be destroyed.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The fires devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena — destroying homes and businesses, displacing residents and killing 31 people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Most businesses are open and welcoming customers following January’s devastating Palisades Fire.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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People suffer and the country becomes ruined.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Anti-Chafe Stick With sweaty bodies and lots of walking often comes chafing, something that can ruin a day in a theme park faster than a thunderstorm.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With the new bridge’s opening, the old iron bridge was demolished.—
IndyStar,
IndyStar,
6 Mar. 2026
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In December 2025, the old Harbormaster building was demolished, and utility and electrical work began, according to the project website.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The storms shattered windows, tore off roofs and smashed vehicles in Kankakee.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
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Within 10 minutes, her windows shattered, the front door blew open and drywall started falling on top of her.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Born in Finland, raised in Boston, then wrecked in Ohio, the poor woman couldn’t exist as matter anymore.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
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So last week … In Atlanta, Carson Hocevar wrecked Bell.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Wearing hooded sweatshirts and full-face masks, the robbers ordered employees to one part of the room at gunpoint before two of them smashed the glass display cases with sledgehammers, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.—
Nick Sullivan
March 7,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Mar. 2026
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Rocco-Herrmann/Getty Images After the price of silver smashed through a record $100 per ounce milestone in late January, many investors would be forgiven for expecting the metal to continue its remarkable surge upward largely unimpeded.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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