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
Injuries have decimated both sides of the ball in Tampa this season — particularly on offense — but the Bucs roll into Week 18 with a chance at a division crown and a home playoff game, a great opportunity considering the team has dropped seven of its last eight.
—
Dianna Russini, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Young Arch had just decimated the Wolverines' defense and in the afterglow of a signature performance, his mind was on a much larger football canvas than Orange County's Campus World Stadium.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 2026
In fact, the brand was one of the few automakers to consistently increase sales throughout the 2020s, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, which decimated the global supply chain.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Another agent pointed to how contractions in post-strike, post-pandemic Hollywood have decimated the theater business, creating new opportunities that Netflix would be foolish to pass up.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimated
Dianna Russini, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2026
Young Arch had just decimated the Wolverines' defense and in the afterglow of a signature performance, his mind was on a much larger football canvas than Orange County's Campus World Stadium.
—Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 2 Jan. 2026
In fact, the brand was one of the few automakers to consistently increase sales throughout the 2020s, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, which decimated the global supply chain.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
Another agent pointed to how contractions in post-strike, post-pandemic Hollywood have decimated the theater business, creating new opportunities that Netflix would be foolish to pass up.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimated
Verb
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The Palisades fire killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 structures, becoming the third-most destructive fire in state history.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
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One year after the Palisades Fire leveled entire neighborhoods and destroyed thousands of homes, one Malibu resident is stepping up to help rebuild his community with his architectural expertise.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The library where generations prepared for their bar and bat mitzvahs was ruined, as was an administrative office.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
14 Jan. 2026
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That they will be personally ruined for doing honest work.—
Dave Myers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The apartments will replace a vacant lot that once held Community Christian Church, which was demolished in 2022.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
12 Jan. 2026
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Israel has demolished more than 2,500 buildings in Gaza since the cease-fire began, according to a New York Times analysis of satellite imagery from Planet Labs.—
Samuel Granados,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Though not every gallery has reopened since hurricanes devastated the island, the community brought back the Matlacha Art Walk in 2025.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
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There had been an influx of increasingly cataclysmal news out of Gaza, and Ben Hania made efforts to stay as informed as possible, but Hind’s innocent voice devastated her anew.—
Sonia Rao,
Washington Post,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So Skinny Pedro had experienced the pain of seeing his dream simultaneously realized and shattered.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
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The windshield and windows of the truck appeared to be shattered, and shards of glass were seen on the street below the vehicle.—
Laurie Perez,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But the Panthers could only score 10 points, as Denver’s fearsome pass rush wrecked Carolina’s best chance at a Super Bowl win.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2026
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McIndoe really wrecked the curve on this one.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The engine compartment caught fire, so the agent smashed a window to help free her.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Windows smashed, citizens detained, citizens shot.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decimated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimated. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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