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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 decimated The conflict in Gaza has left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and decimated the enclave. Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026 The conflict in Gaza has left tens of thousands of Palestinians dead and has decimated the enclave. ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 The two other passengers were working on a project to keep the local Chinook and coho salmon, which are essential to the area’s commercial-fishing industry, from being decimated by the northern pike, an invasive species that preys on the salmon. Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026 Did someone within Rushville, a town decimated by Jordan’s recklessness, wait 10 years for a little revenge of their own? Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026 South Korean filmmaker Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi thriller follows a pair of officers (Hwang Jung-min and Hoyeon) who investigate a small village decimated by unknown creatures. Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026 But Aston Martin, ooh, Aston Martin’s getting decimated, and Porsche is in serious trouble. Joel Feder, The Drive, 9 Sep. 2026 More than a decade after accounts about Sandusky’s abuse resulted in his conviction and sanctions decimated the football program, the university community has tried to move on. Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026 With the rotation decimated by injuries and trades, manager Tony Vitello handed the ball to the rookie on Sunday afternoon at Citi Field in Queens, New York for the final game of the Giants’ series against the Mets. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimated
Verb
  • The Russian Defense Ministry on Friday said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 629 Ukrainian drones overnight over 14 Russian regions, as well as illegally annexed Crimea and the Azov and the Black seas.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
  • In the course of three weeks, Israeli soldiers destroyed much of the area, razing schools and mosques and commandeering buildings for use as military posts.
    Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In a defense memo, Pattis characterizes Diamantis as a broken and financially ruined former politician and lawyer who at 70 might not survive a long prison sentence.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026
  • What could have easily ruined their experience instead became an unforgettable highlight of the trip.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The administration demolished the East Wing of the White House and is replacing it with a massive ballroom.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • He’s demolished the East Wing of the White House and is replacing it with a ballroom and plans to build a triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery.
    Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In the mountains on the North Carolina-Tennessee border, rains of up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) turned usually gentle streams into torrents that moved trees, boulders, homes and vehicles, and shattered century-old flood records.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • An officer allegedly saw fresh footprints in the snow leading to the back door and a glass pane that had been shattered.
    Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The remains were found near Crystal Rapid, about 10 miles downstream from Phantom Ranch, one of the areas devastated by the August 29 deadly flash flood that washed out footbridges and campgrounds.
    Chris Boyette, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Southeast, authorities have identified the remains of a Tennessee woman who had been missing since the storm.
    Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • This may then seem like yet another story about how Trump has wrecked norms and corrupted the rule of law.
    James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The violent swings that powered his game, launching golf balls far beyond his competitors, also wrecked his back and knees.
    Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In his last at-bat of the series, Olson smashed his 39th homer of the season.
    Jesús Cano, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Broken engine parts struck the side of the plane and smashed the window, leaving one passenger with serious injuries, according to investigators.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decimated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimated. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster