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
Its ranks of local and international reporters are being decimated, and the sports and books sections are to close.
—
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 Feb. 2026
Livestock breeders, who have seen their flocks decimated by mass culls due to an outbreak of sheep and goat pox, have joined the protests, which began in November.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
Say goodbye to criminally high rental prices, steep mortgages, and the thought of decimating your savings with this modern, cabin-style tiny home that is ready to open its doors to you and welcome you to your dream life.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
The 2023 Hamas attacks that killed some 1,200 people in Israel, including 378 people at the Nova music festival, spurred a military response that has decimated Gaza and resulted in at least 70,000 deaths.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimate
The Week Uk, TheWeek, 14 Feb. 2026
Livestock breeders, who have seen their flocks decimated by mass culls due to an outbreak of sheep and goat pox, have joined the protests, which began in November.
—ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
Say goodbye to criminally high rental prices, steep mortgages, and the thought of decimating your savings with this modern, cabin-style tiny home that is ready to open its doors to you and welcome you to your dream life.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2026
The 2023 Hamas attacks that killed some 1,200 people in Israel, including 378 people at the Nova music festival, spurred a military response that has decimated Gaza and resulted in at least 70,000 deaths.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
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Shipwreck hunters have been searching the lakes with more urgency in recent years out of concerns that invasive quagga mussels are slowly destroying wrecks.—
Todd Richmond,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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However, archaeologists faced a significant challenge—how to penetrate its secrets without destroying it in the process?—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Los Angeles County district attorney is investigating whether Southern California Edison should be criminally prosecuted for its actions in last year’s devastating Eaton wildfire, which killed 19 people and left thousands of families homeless, the company said Wednesday.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Tanimoto’s father, who grew up in Hiroshima — the Japanese city later devastated by the first atomic bomb — immigrated to Hawaii before raising his family in Northern California and had recently retired from farming.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That was what Ilia Malinin endured on Friday night, when his disastrous free skate ruined his chances for gold.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
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Steam cleaning is an effective way to sanitize and refresh your mattress, but the wrong technique can end up ruining the fabric.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After the city of New York demolished the Polo Grounds in 1964, a crumbling concrete staircase stood forgotten as the last remaining vestige of the legendary stadium.—
Libby Cierzniak,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
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With his daughter, Lupel also tutored youngsters from the Cabrini-Green housing project before it was demolished.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jamerson’s dreams of a solid return to a school that snubbed him were shattered.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Officer Nik Anderson was struck in the arm, shattering his humerus bone.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From tiny insects like flies and butterflies at the edge of the frame, to large mountains, clouds full of rain, even great wrecking machines — everything is animated with precision and beauty.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
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The 1992 play was produced for the Paradise Factory theater in Greenwich Village, which credits Noonan for opening the space where an ice cream shop and hat factory operated before a fire wrecked the building.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Those skipping romance this season can name an ex after a pile of animal feces, shred old photos for dining deals or smash their way through staged date nights in rage rooms.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
14 Feb. 2026
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No matter what, Bella Hadid will always smash a theme.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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