decimate

[des-uh-meyt]

verb (used with object)

decimated, decimating 

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

Other Word Forms

• decimation noun
• decimator 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

Their resistance, from a population harassed, exhausted, decimated but standing tall, is unmatched.

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At the wedding reception, agents attempting to murder Julie—for not murdering Kayla—wipe out 21 guests in a storm of bullets, decimating the tiny Greek village.

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But staffing at the offices was decimated, according to sworn court declarations by DHS officials.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The unique Bandon initiative in the country's south could provide a model for tackling Ireland's biggest environmental dilemma: how to cut emissions on farms without drastically shrinking herds or decimating rural communities.

Read more on Barron's

The report found that this year has been the worst for layoffs since 2020, when the labour market was decimated by the pandemic.

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Related Words

• annihilate 
• exterminate 
• obliterate 
• slaughter 
• wipe out