Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
decimate
verb
/ˈdɛs.ɪ.meɪt/
Definition
To destroy a large part of something.
Examples
- In the past, plagues would decimate entire communities.
- The economic crisis could decimate many small businesses.
- Overfishing has begun to decimate the fish population in the area.
Meaning
Originally used to describe the killing of one in every ten soldiers as a punishment in a military context, ‘decimate’ now means to cause great damage or destruction to a group or population.
Synonyms
- destroy
- devastate
- annihilate
- ravage
- eradicate
