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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Recent Examples of decimated
The bluegill population was decimated.
—
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The Civil War had just decimated the horse breeding industry and there was a need to get people interested in racing again.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
Meanwhile, Syrians still face an ongoing humanitarian crisis while the country recovers from a decades long civil war that has decimated the country’s infrastructure, economy, and civil society.
—Dr. Alister Martin, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Vilmanis doing so during the middle of the season when Florida was still in the playoff hunt, Benning to close out the season as essentially the Panthers’ blue line was decimated with injuries down the stretch.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimated
Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
The Civil War had just decimated the horse breeding industry and there was a need to get people interested in racing again.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 1 May 2026
Meanwhile, Syrians still face an ongoing humanitarian crisis while the country recovers from a decades long civil war that has decimated the country’s infrastructure, economy, and civil society.
—Dr. Alister Martin, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
Vilmanis doing so during the middle of the season when Florida was still in the playoff hunt, Benning to close out the season as essentially the Panthers’ blue line was decimated with injuries down the stretch.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimated
Verb
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The assault killed at least seventeen people, including a twelve-year-old boy, wounded dozens, and destroyed buildings.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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The 24 staff members in Ruiz Verduzco’s office are tasked with assisting victims and their families, establishing programs in communities destroyed by violence and drumming up financial support.—
Molly Quell,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Also be aware that, according to FEMA, the physical original documents are often ruined by flooding, even in homes that survive damage from wind.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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Back in the days before the shootout came long and ruined everything diminished the play’s novelty somewhat, a penalty shot would be big news.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Verb
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It has been recommended that the Denver Pavilions be demolished.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
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It was finally demolished in 2024.—
Rafael Olmeda,
Sun Sentinel,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Kim, 42, said she's devastated for her daughter and upset that her seizures were initially brushed off before the cardiac arrest occurred.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
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The deadly fires that devastated homes in Pacific Palisades and Altadena also laid waste to a lush canopy of leaves and pine needles that had cooled and shaded residents here for generations.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Upon arrival, police discovered Sheppard’s storm door shattered and the main door ajar.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
10 May 2026
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The same district whose tragedy nearly shattered a community, yet set in place the lives — good or bad, right or wrong — and legacies that followed.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 May 2026
Verb
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Elliott, who started 14th, had already taken the white flag when John Hunter Nemechek wrecked in the back of the field after contact with Kyle Busch.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 May 2026
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Two cars were wrecked and two people suffered injuries in a crash on busy Irving Park Road in the neighborhood of the same name early Monday morning.—
Kris Habermehl,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fresh off her time on the dance competition show, the mother of three made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago, which smashed the musical's box office record with the highest weekly ticket sales in the show's 29-year history.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
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During the June 2025 anti-ICE protests in downtown Los Angeles, demonstrators smashed, spray-painted, and torched at least six Waymo robotaxis.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decimated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimated. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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