decimated

[des-uh-mey-tid]

adjective

1. greatly reduced in number or amount, or having suffered great loss or harm.

   The nonprofit agency has been struggling with a decimated staff and limited resources.

   After the massive earthquake, the only way to reach the decimated villages was by helicopter.

verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of decimate.

Word History and Origins

Origin of decimated¹

decimate ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Some scientists trying to recover sunflower sea stars see the finding as a strong guide for future research — and efforts to boost the decimated keystone species.

From Los Angeles Times

With Barghouti in jail, Abbas approaching 90 years of age, Hamas decimated and the West Bank in pieces, it's clear that Palestine lacks leadership and coherence.

From BBC

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the healthcare system in Gaza had been "decimated and hospitals are no longer functioning" with severely ill children "unable to get the medical care they need to survive."

From BBC

The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs was decimated from 50 employees to just three, severely hampering congressional assistance to constituents.

From Los Angeles Times

Violence comes where trust in the system is decimated, and where hope is ground to dust.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annihilate 
• exterminate 
• obliterate 
• slaughter 
• wipe out