decimated

Definition of decimatednext
past tense of decimate
as in destroyed
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

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 decimated In the United States, steady, well-paying blue-collar jobs have been all but decimated, and fewer men than women are earning the college degrees that have become almost a prerequisite for financial stability. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026 Chicago's starting rotation has been decimated by injuries in 2026, but the team has managed to grab hold of the top spot in the National League Wild Card race. Mark Harris Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Last year, Samuel became the Commanders’ primary receiver after injuries decimated the position group, leading the team in catches (72), receiving yards (727) and receiving touchdowns (five). Matt Barrows, New York Times, 31 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 But, Congressman, the president, Pete Hegseth, had said they were obliterated, decimated. ABC News, 26 July 2026 Our winter recreation industry is being decimated and our summer outdoor recreation curbed by dangerous air quality index reports. Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 25 July 2026 Local newspapers and magazines have been particularly decimated by the cultural shift to online and social platforms. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 23 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimated
Verb
  • After the match, Brock Lesnar Oba Femi destroyed Brock Lesnar in their first encounter, which made an already rising Oba Femi into an overnight sensation.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Weeks later in Georgia, the Highway 82 Fire destroyed more than 120 homes – the most lost to a single fire since state records began in the 1950s – while blazes across the Southeast pushed smoke into communities that rarely see it.
    Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Let’s talk about the outfits that get ruined or made irrelevant!
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 July 2026
  • The spring warrant cited charities, a hospital, other city officials and community members that Parris declined to identify for fear of their reputations being ruined.
    Pat Maio, Daily News, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Lower Emery Barn — It was built 1915-1916 and demolished in August 2025.
    Carson Bonner, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The motel closed in the early 1990s, and much of the property was demolished after developers purchased the site in 2000.
    Dana Sauchelli, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The massacre devastated Wilmington’s flourishing Black middle class and sent a message of impunity to white vigilantes nationwide.
    Namara Smith, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The Village, which survived the disaster even as much of the rest of the surrounding downtown commercial corridor was devastated, has undergone an extensive restoration.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • If Infantino’s credibility is shattered and nothing is done to bring a proper change in priorities, then the governance of the sport is unlikely to recover.
    Simon Hughes, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The peaceful exile is shattered when Ravana’s sister, Surpanakha (played by Rakul Preet Singh), becomes infatuated with Rama, setting off a chain of events that leads to her humiliation.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Mathias Jensen would provide an extra dose of creativity but Brentford will be hoping Antoni Milambo can make the position his own after his 2025-26 debut season was wrecked by an ACL injury in October.
    Luke Bosher, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • Elsewhere, La’An continues her investigation via Harper’s personal video log, an effort that takes a disturbing turn when Harper addresses her directly while Kirk sees that their shuttle has been wrecked.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • Security video of the early April 9 morning burglary shows three men entered the business through a broken window, smashed the machines with sledge hammers and pried out the boxes while a fourth man acted as lookout, the report said.
    Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Harper, on his final night as a first baseman this season, smashed a two-run homer into the bushes beyond the center-field wall.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Decimated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimated. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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