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
Newsom’s agenda has decimated California’s refining sector and convinced Chevron to move its company headquarters to Houston in 2024 after more than a century in the San Francisco Bay area.
—
David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Cute names and impressive numbers aside, the snakes did not choose to be here, and the python invasion has decimated ecosystems in South Florida.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026
But the state's economy is heavily dependent on tourism, which was decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdowns, leading Nevadans to vote Lombardo into office as governor in 2022.
—Caroline Linton, CBS News, 10 June 2026
This is actually the bar’s second location; the original, located three doors down, was decimated in a devastating 2021 fire.
—Virginia Miller, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimate
David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Cute names and impressive numbers aside, the snakes did not choose to be here, and the python invasion has decimated ecosystems in South Florida.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026
But the state's economy is heavily dependent on tourism, which was decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdowns, leading Nevadans to vote Lombardo into office as governor in 2022.
—Caroline Linton, CBS News, 10 June 2026
This is actually the bar’s second location; the original, located three doors down, was decimated in a devastating 2021 fire.
—Virginia Miller, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
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Both victims died in separate mobile homes that were destroyed about two to three miles apart, Bullard said.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
22 June 2026
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If Iran’s atomic weapons infrastructure was destroyed in this war, funneling hundreds of billions into the country can’t be used to rebuild it.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
Verb
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At the same time, agriculture is one of the sectors most threatened by climate change, with rising temperatures set to devastate food crops around the world.—
Jasmin Sykes,
CNN Money,
19 June 2026
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Our entire family is devastated by this great loss.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
Verb
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Don't Worry Too Much About Saltwater Or Chlorine Many people assume a quick swim in the ocean or pool will ruin their sunglasses.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
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Could the Boston Celtics or another team ruin the Heat’s plan, swooping in and trading for Antetokounmpo this offseason and getting a long-term commitment from him?—
Anthony Chiang
June 19,
Miami Herald,
19 June 2026
Verb
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The existing residence was demolished, though plans to build a new house never moved forward.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
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The military has bulldozed or demolished wide swaths of the zone, and the area, where most of Gaza’s agricultural land lies, is inaccessible to Palestinians.—
Melanie Lidman,
Chicago Tribune,
19 June 2026
Verb
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Kate Ziegler breaks swimming’s oldest world record, shattering the 1,500-meter freestyle mark by 9 1/2 seconds at the TYR Meet of Champions Mission Viejo.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
17 June 2026
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When a shocking night shatters their fragile facade, both women are forced to confront the cost of control and decide what kind of future is worth fighting for.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Just across the Mississippi River in Avondale, Louisiana, a tornado wrecked four homes, Jefferson Parish spokeswoman Rachel Strassel said.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
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Jane Ragsdale’s best friend Christine Chenoweth, a pastoral counselor and former Presbyterian minister, says the South Fork of the Guadalupe is now lousy and wrecked and haunted.—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
Verb
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The suspect also allegedly attacked a car at a gas station, which was found with its windows smashed out and an axe inside, and he was seen pushing down shelves inside the station’s market, BBC News reported.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
20 June 2026
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The tension in these tracks are the binding agent for Jane’s fan base — the music is full of contradictions and incompatibilities smashing together that just feel like being young right now.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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