View synonyms for

decimation

[ des-uh-mey-shuhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the destruction of a great number or proportion of people, animals, or things:
There is growing evidence that pesticide use is contributing significantly to the decimation of bee populations.
the act or practice of killing one-tenth of a population, as a punishment, to cull wild animals, or for other purposes:
The Roman Empire used decimation, executing 1 in 10 people—ordinary citizens, slaves, or soldiers—to quell mutinies, riots, and other uprisings.

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Word History and Origins

First recorded in 1450–1500, for an earlier sense; from Latin ��𳦾��پ�ō��-, stem of ��𳦾��پ�ō “a punishing of every tenth man”; decimate ( def ), -ion ( def )

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“We’ve already seen major consequences from the decimation thus far,” Swain said.

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Finally, Roberts was forced to juggle all these potential implosions with the constant decimation of his starting rotation.

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Most Trump voters didn't want the decimation of social services they depend on, economic chaos or the rising threat of all-out war in Europe.

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Key figures are widely reported to have challenged him repeatedly on the dwindling military goals in continuing the war, after the killing of the top Hamas leadership, and the decimation of Gaza.

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She is one of nine players from outside California witnessing the decimation.

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Related Words

decimated ��é��

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