1
Core action
Destroy, kill, or remove a very large proportion of a population, group, or resource.
Example
Disease decimated the island's bird population.
decimate
/ˈdesɪmeɪt/ · DES-ih-maytverb
Destroy, kill, or remove a very large proportion of a population, group, or resource.
Use decimate to express this relationship precisely: destroy, kill, or remove a very large proportion of a population, group, or resource.
What decimate Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
Repeated fires decimated the forest.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
The recession decimated small manufacturers.
Use decimate Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
Disease decimated the island's bird population.
Repeated fires decimated the forest.
The recession decimated small manufacturers.
Precision Matters
Decimate overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
decimate
vs.Means destroy, kill, or remove a very large proportion of a population, group, or resource.
proliferate
Means increase, multiply, reproduce, or spread rapidly in number or amount.
decimate
vs.Means destroy, kill, or remove a very large proportion of a population, group, or resource.
promote
Means encourage, support, or contribute to the development, progress, growth, or acceptance of something.
decimate
vs.Means destroy, kill, or remove a very large proportion of a population, group, or resource.
sustain
Means maintain, support, or keep something continuing; also, uphold a claim or decision as valid.
decimate
vs.Means destroy, kill, or remove a very large proportion of a population, group, or resource.
eradicate
Means destroy, remove, or eliminate something completely.
Test decimate in Context
It destroys a very large proportion of the population.
1
The introduced fungus began to ___ the tree population, killing most mature specimens.