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

Bedbug populations in developed countries were decimated after World War II due to the widespread use of the pesticide DDT. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Earlier that day, Moneymaker drove back from Chimney Rock, one of the many areas in western North Carolina decimated by Hurricane Helene. — Laura Horne, Charlotte Observer, 13 Aug. 2026

After the Chechen war in the 1990s when Russian tanks were decimated by light anti-tank weapons, the Russians introduced the Arena Active Protection System to detect and intercept incoming projectiles. — David Hambling, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The fifth and final season has not only depicted a young man at odds with his mother, but also his willingness to decimate his own family. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!