decimate

[ des-uh-meyt ]

verb (used with object)

, dec·i·mat·ed, dec·i·mat·ing.

1. to kill or destroy a great number or proportion of:

   The population was decimated by a plague.

2. to greatly reduce in number or amount:

   From 1975-1981, our country was not driving the space exploration agenda, and our aerospace workforce was decimated.

3. to cause to suffer great loss or harm:

   The constant eruptions that spewed forth decimated the forest and turned it to ash.

4. to select by lot and kill every tenth person of.
5. Obsolete. to take a tenth of or from.

decimate

/ ˈdɛsɪˌmeɪt /

verb

1. to destroy or kill a large proportion of

   a plague decimated the population

2. (esp in the ancient Roman army) to kill every tenth man of (a mutinous section)

Usage

One talks about the whole of something being decimated, not a part: disease decimated the population, not disease decimated most of the population

Derived Forms

• ˌdeciˈmation, noun
• ˈdeciˌmator, noun

Other Words From

• dec·i·ma·tion [des-, uh, -, mey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• dec·i·ma·tor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of decimate¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin decimātus, past participle of decimāre “to punish every tenth man chosen by lot,” verbal derivative of decimus “tenth,” derivative of decem “ten”; ten, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of decimate¹

C17: from Latin decimāre, from decimus tenth, from decem ten

Example Sentences

For that forest to prosper, many of the pre-existing flora and fauna have been decimated or exiled.

From Salon

His regressive agenda was even given a sinister name — Project 2025 — and published online, where anyone could read the plans to shrink workers' paychecks, ban abortion nationwide, and decimate access to health care.

From Salon

They watch helplessly as much of their villages and cities has been decimated by the Israeli military.

From BBC

Since the Budget, farmers have warned that getting rid of this IHT exemption will force many family farms out of business and decimate the countryside.

From BBC

Their cornerback group has been decimated by injuries with four starters sidelined.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annihilate
• exterminate
• obliterate
• slaughter
• wipe out