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
• devastate
• ruin
• demolish
• shatter
• wreck
• smash
• overcome
• damage
• annihilate
• erode
• ravage
• vaporize
• waste
• pulverize
• extinguish
• cripple
• raze
• desolate
• kill
• mar
• total
• dismantle
• tear down
• cream
• defeat
• crush
• injure
• rub out
• pull down
• nuke
• subdue
• remove
• break
• wrack
• do in
• best
• conquer
• impair
• spoil
• blast
• disintegrate
• eradicate
• trim
• harm
• disfigure
• obliterate
• mutilate
• deteriorate
• dissolve
• lick
• rout
• mangle
• exterminate
• prevail (over)
• master
• win (against)
• surmount
• trounce
• assassinate
• triumph (over)
• vitiate
• clobber
• scour
• beat
• slaughter
• undo
• thrash
• whip
• extirpate
• deface
• wear (away)
• dynamite
• sweep (away)
• expunge
• liquidate
• slay
• blow up
• overmatch
• scotch
• despoil
• trample
• sack
• disassemble
• execute
• overbear
• gut
• plunder
• pillage
• wash out
• fell
• wipe out
• havoc
• wallop
• efface
• unmake
• drub
• blot out
• massacre
• take down
• cut down
• murder
• stamp (out)
• loot
• zap
• butcher
• root (out)
• dispatch
• kill off
• vandalize
• dilapidate
• snuff (out)
• mow (down)
• 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

Scientists say climate change, caused mainly by burning oil, coal and gas, is making the Mediterranean Sea hotter, bringing hundreds of new and invasive fish species that decimate indigenous populations. — ABC News, 30 July 2026

But years of overharvesting, human pollution, and dredging had decimated New York’s once populous oyster beds. — Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 30 July 2026

Canada goose reintroduction As with other populations of wildlife around the turn of the 20th century, unregulated hunting decimated Canada goose populations. — Mark Vrtiska, The Conversation, 30 July 2026

The Devil, a native marsupial unique to Tasmania, is under threat from Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) which is decimating numbers throughout Tasmania. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

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