DECIMATE Synonyms: 160 Similar and Opposite Words

decimate

verb

ˈde-sə-ˌmāt

Definition of decimate

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 With no major competition from native predators, the invasive snakes exploded in population while decimating local wildlife. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for decimate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate

Verb

Vendors said enforcement sweeps that began earlier this year have threatened their livelihoods, with authorities confiscating vending equipment and, in some cases, destroying it.

— Da Lin, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
One of those, the USS Gerald R Ford, also reported problems earlier this year, from toilets that weren’t working to a laundry fire that briefly stopped combat operations and destroyed some sleeping quarters.

— Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of destroy

Verb

The floods also devastated livestock, with large numbers of cattle lost, dealing a blow to rural communities and raising concerns about disease outbreaks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
The area where the quake struck, Colombia's coffee region, was devastated by an earthquake in 1999 that killed more than 1,200 people.

— CBS News, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of devastate

Verb

Campione said her campaign was focused on protecting rural lands from being annexed into cities for rural subdivisions and stopping activities that could ruin water quality or override property rights.

— James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
But the mellow vibes are ruined when a goofy case of mistaken identity results in Frankie coming home with a briefcase containing several vials of a glowing orange goo.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of ruin

Verb

The only option to build the facility was to demolish the Trojans’ longtime baseball field and displace the program for multiple seasons.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
What else might be demolished in Crown Center for the ballpark district remains unclear.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of demolish

Verb

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said Ace protected the three deputies from Bowers but was shot in his left front leg, shattering the bone and tearing an artery that caused massive blood loss.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
The state of the job market has shattered the confidence of American workers.

— Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of shatter

Verb

Stefano Cerio’s outdoor photography installation about the devastation wrecked by wildfires was nearly engulfed in a real wildfire on Saturday, reported Artribune.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Her fitful vocals capture the chaos of love, the maddening ability of a partner to absolutely wreck a mind or heal it.

— Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of wreck

Verb

Nick Loftin then doubled in the third before Caglianone hit his 21st homer of the season to right, smashing a hanging slider for a 410-foot shot that induced grumbles from the stands.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
The Public Defender's Office said Govindbhai, without double-checking the plate numbers, walked to the driver's side door and struck the window with his baton four times, smashing the glass.

— Jose Fabian, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of smash

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decimate

decimated

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“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of decimate

verb

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