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

His brutish boys are programmed to decimate any target in sight. — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Their running back room was completely decimated over the course of the year. — Michael Beller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Radiopharmaceuticals work by directing toxic radiation specifically to cancer cells, decimating them on site. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026

Even though Miami’s inside linebacker spot had been decimated by injuries, and the overall roster lacks playmakers (which Dodson was), and experience (43 NFL starts), that decision personifies what this season will be about. — Omar Kelly august 30, Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2026

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