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
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Recent Examples of decimate
Critics argue that policies like HR 1775 have the power to bury the truth about historical events like the Tulsa Race Massacre when white mobs murdered hundreds of Black residents and decimated the thriving African American commerce district known as Black Wall Street.
—
Kristal Brent Zook, Essence, 16 June 2025
However, 20 months of war in Gaza and a conflict in Lebanon last year have decimated Tehran's strongest regional proxies, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, reducing its options for retaliation.
—Alexander Cornwell, USA Today, 15 June 2025
The devastating earthquake in Turkey in 2023, which killed hundreds of people and decimated communities near the Syrian border, was a 7.8 magnitude quake.
—Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
The play is set in the early and later 2000s, focusing on a diverse crop of blue collar workers who have seen their jobs dwindle as the North American Free Trade Agreement decimates U.S. employment.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Kristal Brent Zook, Essence, 16 June 2025
However, 20 months of war in Gaza and a conflict in Lebanon last year have decimated Tehran's strongest regional proxies, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, reducing its options for retaliation.
—Alexander Cornwell, USA Today, 15 June 2025
The devastating earthquake in Turkey in 2023, which killed hundreds of people and decimated communities near the Syrian border, was a 7.8 magnitude quake.
—Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025
The play is set in the early and later 2000s, focusing on a diverse crop of blue collar workers who have seen their jobs dwindle as the North American Free Trade Agreement decimates U.S. employment.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
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To destroy the site, an attack would have to come in waves, with bombers releasing one after another down the same hole.—
Samuel Granados,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
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But the conflict has only escalated, with Russia’s launching some of its most extensive strikes in a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of casualties, and Ukraine’s carrying out the audacious Operation Spiderweb drone attack, which damaged or destroyed strategic aircraft inside Russia.—
Adam Rasmi,
Time,
20 June 2025
Verb
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While everyone gives the duo a standing ovation, Zoe and company are devastated, knowing the truth.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
20 June 2025
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Hannah is devastated and completely beside herself over the events that have transpired.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacbee.com,
26 June 2025
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And just like that, Donald Trump ruined something else.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Hegseth touted Caine's explanation as proof the bombs fully demolished Fordow.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
27 June 2025
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The more than 115-year-old Advocate Trinity building on the Southeast Side of Chicago, on 93rd Street, will continue to serve patients until the new hospital is ready, at which point it will be demolished.—
Lisa Schencker,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
Verb
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His ability to love completely hasn’t been shattered, however.—
TJ Macias,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2025
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These moves have shattered walls that have long kept data within the agencies that collect it.—
Julia Shapero,
The Hill,
25 June 2025
Verb
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The facility had been subject to sabotage and subterfuge by Israel for many years even before these attacks–including a computer virus that wrecked the centrifuges over a decade ago.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
26 June 2025
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All three spent Wednesday warning that Mamdani would wreck New York.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
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On June 21, Mitchell, South Dakota, broke its daily high temperatures record at 104 degrees, smashing its previous record of 101 degrees.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
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Numerous other boats were damaged that day as the powerful thunderstorm churned up waves and sent boats smashing into each other and the marina, according to KCRA-TV.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
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