decimate

verb

ˈde-sə-ˌmāt How to pronounce decimate (audio)
Definition of decimatenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decimate 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 Now Amazon has major investments in Anthropic and Open AI and seems poised to decimate a variety of creative industries with very little pushback. — Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has decimated the country’s heritage. — Chris Stokel-Walker, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
  1. destroy
  2. demolish
  3. ruin
  4. devastate
  5. shatter
  6. wreck
Verb
  • The students on Thursday asked public servants to prevent outgoing officials from destroying documentation or evidence of potential wrongdoing.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • According to the Federal Trade Commission, destroy anything containing sensitive information to protect yourself from identity theft.
    — Andee Tagle, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of destroy
Verb
  • Originally designed in 1893 as two side-by-side hotels built by feuding family members, the collective property was demolished in 1929 to make room for the Empire State Building’s construction.
    — Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Plans to either demolish the structure or preserve it were offered by various community groups.
    — Pam DeFiglio, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of demolish
Verb
  • One accidental move could ruin the attempt, requiring a correction at best, and a possible restart at worst.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Others have used it to remove oily stains from their toddlers like crayon marks on carpet, and one reviewer says it’s saved many of their clothes from being ruined in a household with unavoidable messes from both kids and pets.
    — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of ruin
Verb
  • For two years, the war in Gaza devastated the Palestinian enclave, killed tens of thousands of people, and left Israeli hostages languishing in captivity.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The rain is raising concerns in Altadena once again for families devastated by the Eaton Fire.
    — Jasmine Viel, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of devastate
Verb
  • In a country so small and intimately connected, scarcely anyone was untouched by events that shattered the assumptions of a people whose nation was founded to give Jews a safe haven in their ancestral homeland.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In fact, 2026 has already shattered the Biden-era record for the most number of days with $4 gas or higher.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of shatter
Verb
  • From Miami to Fort Lauderdale, residents struggled through the saltwater suddenly seeping into their neighborhoods and wrecking their commute.
    — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The 21-year-old from Dallas, who soared to gold in the all-around on Friday after recovering from injuries that wrecked her Olympic hopes in 2021 and again in 2024, hardly looked tired in what has quickly become the meet of her life.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of wreck

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decimals
decimate
decimated
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Cite this Entry

“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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