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
With the left side of the board nearly decimated, David’s case picking started to get dicier.
—
Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
Scrutiny about who enters the country is increasing, and procedural delays are becoming common as the federal workforce is decimated under Elon Musk’s DOGE.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2025
In September of last year, Israel launched an intense ground and aerial campaign, decimating the militant group’s leadership and killing more than 2,500 in the following months, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
—CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Sri Lankan vessels have historically targeted sharks in the country’s national waters, but as domestic stocks of sharks have been decimated, the Sri Lankan fleet moved into the high seas, areas including the Saya de Malha Bank.
—Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Laura Bradley, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
Scrutiny about who enters the country is increasing, and procedural delays are becoming common as the federal workforce is decimated under Elon Musk’s DOGE.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2025
In September of last year, Israel launched an intense ground and aerial campaign, decimating the militant group’s leadership and killing more than 2,500 in the following months, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
—CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2025
Sri Lankan vessels have historically targeted sharks in the country’s national waters, but as domestic stocks of sharks have been decimated, the Sri Lankan fleet moved into the high seas, areas including the Saya de Malha Bank.
—Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decimate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decimate
Verb
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Worthy sues ex-fiancée Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy accused his ex-fiancee of theft and extortion in a lawsuit, obtained by The Athletic yesterday, which alleges that Tia Jones stole and destroyed money and personal property belonging to Worthy.—
Chris Branch,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
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The gangs have resumed kidnappings, while burning hospitals and destroying schools.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Most Canadians recognize that an all-out trade war would devastate their economy.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
14 Mar. 2025
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Amanda Seyfried stars in this limited series as a police officer investigating the murders of three young women in a Philadelphia neighborhood devastated by opioid addiction.—
Savannah Salazar,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2025
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Justin Champagnie hit a 3-pointer, the Heat had a backcourt violation and then Carrington ruined Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s 40-point game by dropping this dagger on him.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The city never demolished the building.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2025
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The city did not share if the pool would be demolished, nor what is planned for the site.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Trump and Musk are truly onions made of glass: shiny orbs of one insubstantial layer over another, with nothing in the center, liable to be shattered under the slightest pressure.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
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And amid the challenges, there’s a growing push for transparency in the beauty industry, especially as entrepreneurs are speaking out more about the realities of running a business, shattering the illusion of effortless success.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Three days prior, Dale Earnhardt, the sport’s superhero and antihero and transcendent phenom all in one, wrecked into the wall on Turn 4 on the last lap of the Daytona 500.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Apr. 2025
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The architectural vandalism was hideous and heartbreaking to watch, inhumane civic renewal by wrecking ball in the discredited vein of Robert Moses.—
Frank Rich,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Kamikaze sank their first ship on Oct. 25, 1944, when a navy Zero pilot smashed into the USS St. Lo in the Philippine Sea while carrying a pair of 550-pound bombs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2025
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Raphinha gets the ball in space and smashes home from the edge of the box.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decimate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decimate. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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