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
  • Most of the hospitals are taken over by gangs or have been destroyed, and … the economy’s not good.
    Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Two grandparents and their 3-year-old grandson were killed after multiple Russian drones destroyed their home in the Brovary district of Kyiv region, northeast of the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, early Saturday.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Atlassian is up over 30% this morning after the collaboration software maker, thought to be ruined by AI, reported a great quarter.
    Jim Cramer, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026
  • With baseball ruined, the Dodgers will look to avoid their second consecutive series loss via the sweep on Wednesday, sending superstar starter Eric Lauer to the mound against Shota Imanaga.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 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
  • More than 180 bullets pierced, cracked or shattered windows in six buildings on campus.
    Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The group shattered windows, stole or attempted to steal cash, register drawers and safes.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Resilience wrecked, but Blue Ghost aced its touchdown, becoming the first private spacecraft to do so.
    Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • This group of men did stuff that hurt others to often terrible degrees but also wrecked themselves and their careers.
    Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 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 12 Aug. 2026.

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