as in to destroy
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 decimate He’s been focused elsewhere, including on unleashing sweeping changes to US global leadership by decimating US foreign assistance, threatening to take control of other countries’ sovereign territory, and upending US alliances in Europe, while pulling closer to Russia at the expense of Ukraine. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025 The goal of the benefit was to rebuild communities decimated by the fires that burned through Los Angeles in January. Janelle Ash, Fox News, 6 Mar. 2025 Trump Admin Releases Plan to Lower Egg Prices Last week the Trump administration described plans to lower egg prices, which have reached historic highs in recent weeks as H5N1 has decimated poultry farms around the country. Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 5 Mar. 2025 The tariffs come as California farmers are already rattled by worries that a massive deportation effort — which Trump promised during his campaign — could decimate the ranks of low-wage farmworkers who plant and harvest crops. Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
  • Residents of states that have been impacted by this weekend's storms have posted photos online showing their homes destroyed by the tornadoes, with roofs fallen completely off, walls caved in and debris on lawns.
    Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Taking on the role of a teenage boy named Chrono, players have to travel through time and assemble a team to stop a horrifying creature named Lavos from destroying the world.
    Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Last year, parts of the U.S. were devastated by hurricanes such as Helene and Milton.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The Asheville area was devastated in September by Hurricane Helene, with thousands of people displaced and businesses destroyed or temporarily closed.
    Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • During the 2020 election campaign, Trump said the AFFH rule would ruin the suburbs by forcing more affordable housing.
    Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Many have long since been demolished or altered beyond recognition, but some of the most beautiful have miraculously kept their original structures and decoration intact.
    The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Some residential buildings have been demolished; a hole is punched into the side of a mosque; chunks of broken concrete now bare the inside of someone’s home to the outside world.
    Jeremy Diamond, CNN, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The animated blockbuster, which has shattered box office records, will debut in the U.K. and Ireland on March 21, with previews beginning March 14.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Investigators say at least seven shots were fired, damaging three cars and shattering windows.
    Chris Isidore, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With the Trop's roof wrecked by Hurricane Milton, the Rays will play at Tampa's George M. Steinbrenner Field.
    Jeff Weiner, Axios, 10 Mar. 2025
  • A lot of people get too ambitious, head to the back tees, and end up absolutely wrecked by the course.
    David Hochman, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • To Late April Close, CFO Says - Update RTL pointed to 2024 success stories including Oscar-winner Poor Things, hit Amazon YA series Maxton Hall, Kim Kardashian-produced doc Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar and U.S. entertainment smashes like Family Feud and The Farmer Wants A Wife.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Two people who were in the office area were hit as the vehicle smashed through the building, came out the other side and struck another vehicle, police said.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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