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
The Revolutionary Guards’ leadership has been decimated but its many military bases remain intact and should be targeted.
—
Eric Edelman, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2025
Israel already curtailed Iran’s ability to fight back, having decimated Iranian proxies Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah and heavily bombed Iran’s air defense systems.
—Christopher Bodeen, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Israel, in its fury, decimated Hamas and wiped out its leadership—including Sinwar—and also killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
It's been 28 years since the rage virus — a virulent, bloodborne infection that sends its hosts into extreme, uncontrollable rage and states of undead decay — escaped a lab and decimated nearly all of the United Kingdom, now under rigid quarantine.
—EW.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Eric Edelman, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2025
Israel already curtailed Iran’s ability to fight back, having decimated Iranian proxies Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah and heavily bombed Iran’s air defense systems.
—Christopher Bodeen, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
Israel, in its fury, decimated Hamas and wiped out its leadership—including Sinwar—and also killed tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
It's been 28 years since the rage virus — a virulent, bloodborne infection that sends its hosts into extreme, uncontrollable rage and states of undead decay — escaped a lab and decimated nearly all of the United Kingdom, now under rigid quarantine.
—EW.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
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In September 2024, the same month as the pager attack and assassination of Hezbollah’s leader, Israel launched the most extensive campaign of airstrikes in the air force’s history hitherto, destroying much of Hezbollah’s strategic surface-to-surface missile stockpiles.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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As rumors swirl and her life collapses, Eva faces a choice: protect herself or expose Amir’s secret and risk destroying him.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
30 June 2025
Verb
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People were aware of the risk of fires following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and a 1923 magnitude 8 earthquake and firestorm that devastated Tokyo and Yokohama, causing an astonishing 142,800 deaths, according to the USGS.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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He’s been through adversity and grown stronger James’ drive to give back began during his freshman year at Tulane, when Hurricane Ida devastated New Orleans.—
Shane Connuck
June 26,
Charlotte Observer,
27 June 2025
Verb
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The ceiling was now on the floor, the world had turned itself upside down, her outfit and her day and her rug were seemingly ruined—and yet she herself was not hurt.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 July 2025
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Now a wonderful memory of the occasion will be ruined in my memories.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Hegseth touted Caine's explanation as proof the bombs fully demolished Fordow.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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The more than 115-year-old Advocate Trinity building on the Southeast Side of Chicago, on 93rd Street, will continue to serve patients until the new hospital is ready, at which point it will be demolished.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Verb
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But the resulting scandal shatters her reputation, as well as that of Nina’s teenage daughter, Clara.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
People.com,
9 July 2025
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In those terrifying moments, Ryan shattered a window in a final attempt to get his family out.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
6 July 2025
Verb
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Day camp providers and schools are warning that a Trump administration funding freeze could wreck summer for low-income American families and wipe out some after-school programming next year.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
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Social media is abuzz with Tatsuki's prophecy of a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami wrecking her home country of Japan -- a place prone to natural disasters but also a top destination for many in Asia -- sometime between July 5 and 7.—
Britt Clennett,
ABC News,
1 July 2025
Verb
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The other oar was smashed off, and the raft was littered up with leaves and branches and dirt.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
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Odie's menu includes smash burgers and signature drinks inspired by band members.—
Marcus K. Dowling,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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