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
Livestock breeders, who have seen their flocks decimated by mass culls due to an outbreak of sheep and goat pox, have joined the protests, which began in November.
—
ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
The 2023 Hamas attacks that killed some 1,200 people in Israel, including 378 people at the Nova music festival, spurred a military response that has decimated Gaza and resulted in at least 70,000 deaths.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Decades of strife—the 11-year War of Independence that ended in 1975, which was followed by a civil war that lasted from 1977 to 1992—left the nation decimated.
—Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
To put it in perspective, $2 trillion was wiped off the market cap of software companies last week, which traders thought might be decimated by AI companies replacing them.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimated
ABC News, 13 Feb. 2026
The 2023 Hamas attacks that killed some 1,200 people in Israel, including 378 people at the Nova music festival, spurred a military response that has decimated Gaza and resulted in at least 70,000 deaths.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
Decades of strife—the 11-year War of Independence that ended in 1975, which was followed by a civil war that lasted from 1977 to 1992—left the nation decimated.
—Lisa Grainger, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Feb. 2026
To put it in perspective, $2 trillion was wiped off the market cap of software companies last week, which traders thought might be decimated by AI companies replacing them.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decimated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimated
Verb
-
The Los Angeles Fire Department and Mayor Bass have been criticized for their response during and after the Palisades Fire, which burned more than 23,000 acres, killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of structures.—
City News Service,
Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Accessibility Unfortunately the rooms that met ADA requirements were located on the part of the property that was destroyed during the fires.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
These liberals have ruined this state.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Simple fasting from food can be ruined — rendered not pleasing to Allah — if spoiled by telling lies, slander, denouncing someone behind his back, swearing a false oath, greed or covetousness.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
After the city of New York demolished the Polo Grounds in 1964, a crumbling concrete staircase stood forgotten as the last remaining vestige of the legendary stadium.—
Libby Cierzniak,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
-
With his daughter, Lupel also tutored youngsters from the Cabrini-Green housing project before it was demolished.—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Edison’s aging transmission lines probably sparked the January 2025 fire that devastated west Altadena, a historically Black community of 1960s middle-class homebuyers.—
Melody Petersen,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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This practice has contaminated farms, wells and food supplies in states across the country, often leaving farmers financially devastated and communities scrambling for clean drinking water.—
Peter Blair,
Baltimore Sun,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
British filmmaker Grant Gee took best director honors for Everyone Digs Bill Evans, a fragmented bio-drama on the influential jazz pianist who was shattered by the tragic loss of his bassist in a car accident.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Feb. 2026
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Klaebo’s victory in the 50-kilometer mass start race shattered the nearly 50-year record set by American speed skater Eric Heiden, who won five golds in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His digestive system was wrecked by recurring dysentery and colic, and the calomel prescribed by his doctors only made things worse.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
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The 1992 play was produced for the Paradise Factory theater in Greenwich Village, which credits Noonan for opening the space where an ice cream shop and hat factory operated before a fire wrecked the building.—
Brian Niemietz,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Day after day, Olympic records were smashed, sometimes twice in the same race — surprising the skaters themselves, who didn't expect the ice conditions to be so dialed-in at a temporary rink.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
23 Feb. 2026
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On its home turf this month, the host nation smashed those marks, winning 30 medals, the third most of any country, and 10 golds.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decimated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimated. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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