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
Sacramento has been decimated by injuries this season.
—
Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
All three began with settlement or conquest by Europeans that involved forcibly taking the lands of native peoples already decimated by European diseases.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Injuries have decimated both sides of the ball in Tampa this season — particularly on offense — but the Bucs roll into Week 18 with a chance at a division crown and a home playoff game, a great opportunity considering the team has dropped seven of its last eight.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Young Arch had just decimated the Wolverines' defense and in the afterglow of a signature performance, his mind was on a much larger football canvas than Orange County's Campus World Stadium.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
All three began with settlement or conquest by Europeans that involved forcibly taking the lands of native peoples already decimated by European diseases.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Injuries have decimated both sides of the ball in Tampa this season — particularly on offense — but the Bucs roll into Week 18 with a chance at a division crown and a home playoff game, a great opportunity considering the team has dropped seven of its last eight.
—Dianna Russini, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Young Arch had just decimated the Wolverines' defense and in the afterglow of a signature performance, his mind was on a much larger football canvas than Orange County's Campus World Stadium.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
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So, automation can be used to destroy labor or workers’ power, but it can also be used in the opposite direction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Homes, businesses and synagogues were destroyed.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Group members want to see Bonta’s office take ownership of a review, as occurred in Hawaii after Maui’s devastating Lahaina fire.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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The regime’s regional proxies have been devastated.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And, from this week’s issue, Nicola Twilley’s reporting on another lingering effect of the wildfires—smoke taint that is ruining grapes and threatening California’s wine industry.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
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This will either change your life or ruin you.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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It is designed to mirror the East Wing addition after the previous building was demolished last year.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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In order to do so, the city has to acquire the land and purchase the properties — valued at $22 million total — and demolish them, causing several businesses to close or relocate to make way for the project.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Creature is slowed, however, when gunfire shatters the ice around its feet, plunging it into the cold sea.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Jan. 2026
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Troconis’ case for being a cooperating witness was shattered when Dulos died after attempting to commit suicide in January 2020, Bowman testified.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Guardiola’s lads look back to their best in the early months of this season after the extended wobble in the previous one that wrecked their hopes of a fifth straight domestic title.—
Andy Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Phillips croons about a mother’s bond with her child as Swinton walks off, her character freshly wrecked by a visit with her son in prison.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The conservative impulse — skepticism of sweeping change, respect for traditions, wariness of unintended consequences — can prevent politics from becoming a moral joyride that smashes against the guardrails and calls it courage.—
Robert T.F. Downes,
Hartford Courant,
6 Jan. 2026
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As Hodges stood there, scared and vulnerable, the man grabbed his baton and bashed him on the head with it, rupturing his lip and smashing his skull.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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