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

Since before the civil war, which decimated over 450 Maya villages, Indigenous communities have continuously struggled through structural poverty, colonial genocide, and high child mortality. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Oct. 2026

Insiders cited broad industry-wide online traffic problems plaguing numerous online publishers, including Meta’s decision to deprioritize links to news articles and the rise of chatbots and AI summaries, which have decimated search traffic. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 25 Oct. 2026

They were enraged at the way the current administration had decimated progressive policies toward children, women, people of color, gay people and transgender people. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026

Toss in how Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson decimated the defense the week prior and some serious conversations need to be had. — Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026

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