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
Maybe this is the flip side of – or payback for – October of 2024, when the Dodgers’ starting pitching was decimated but the work of their bullpen propelled them to a World Series championship.
—
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Although the World Wide Web had existed for two years, nobody really knew how to make money off it, at least besides domain squatters, internet service providers like AOL, and browser providers like Netscape (which would soon be decimated by Microsoft).
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 26 Sep. 2025
What has been decimated is the middle.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Schumer also supported it back in March, warning at the time that a shutdown could help fuel the administration’s ongoing efforts to decimate the federal workforce.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Although the World Wide Web had existed for two years, nobody really knew how to make money off it, at least besides domain squatters, internet service providers like AOL, and browser providers like Netscape (which would soon be decimated by Microsoft).
—Mark Dent, HubSpot, 26 Sep. 2025
What has been decimated is the middle.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
Schumer also supported it back in March, warning at the time that a shutdown could help fuel the administration’s ongoing efforts to decimate the federal workforce.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
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Two months after historic floods swept through the Milwaukee area, new data shows that nearly 2,200 homes throughout Milwaukee County sustained major damage or were destroyed.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Police in Florida are searching for two men caught on camera destroying a mall store while stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise.—
Pilar Arias,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And that doesn’t change when the relationships in the middle of a dispute are the ones between Prince William and Prince Harry, and the one feeling devastated by the feud is Prince George.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 Oct. 2025
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But none appears set to devastate his team’s chances of contention as has that of Burrow.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
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The jerky in particular has ruined me for all other beef jerky—so be forewarned the same might happen to you.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Although a formal vote was not taken, there was consensus among the city council members on Monday night to demolish the old City Hall and to preserve the old fire station, Leawood spokesperson Beth Breitenstein said in an email.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
3 Oct. 2025
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The Jokake Inn closed in the late 1970s and was demolished, except for its Pueblo revival-style belfry towers, which were incorporated into The Phoenician.—
Douglas C. Towne,
AZCentral.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Each episode explores how Taylor shattered Hollywood’s glass ceiling, built a billion-dollar business empire, and transformed celebrity activism through her pioneering work in the fight against HIV/AIDS.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
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Jeff sustained a gunshot wound that shattered his ankle, receiving two surgeries to remove the bullet and leather from his foot.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Brian Schottenheimer battles through injuries Heading into the game against the Jets, Schottenheimer’s offensive line was wrecked by injury.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Oct. 2025
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Centuries ago, a fleet of Spanish ships laden with gold, silver and jewels taken from the New World was sailing back to Spain when a hurricane wrecked the flotilla on July 31, 1715, spilling the treasures into the sea, according to the 1715 Fleet Society.—
Kate Payne,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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At least four people were killed and eight injured when a gunman in a pickup truck smashed through the doors of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel in Michigan during a Sunday service attended by hundreds, opened fire and set the building ablaze.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
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During a two-point conversion play, Jennings caught the ball in the endzone, but was smashed between two Jaguars defenders.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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