decimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "decimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean to destroy or kill a large portion of something, usually in a violent way. It can also be used more loosely to mean to drastically reduce something, usually a large amount. Example sentence: The hurricane decimated the coastal town, leaving most of the buildings destroyed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Chartered Institute of Housing has warned that proposals by the Financial Services Authority would "decimate mortgage advances to first-time buyers".

The Guardian - Business

Yet developing winter sports centres is also controversial: environmentalists are opposing plans to build a ski resort at Kok-Zhaylau in south-eastern Kazakhstan, claiming construction will decimate the fragile eco-system in an area better suited for eco-tourism.

The Guardian

"[This] would decimate the electronics and software industries".

The Economist

If the droplet happens to bounce into a bacterium during that time, its ROS are released to wreak havoc.The researchers report that their nano droplets can decimate bacteria on surfaces, reducing them by a factor of between ten and nearly 100.

The Economist

Imported terrapins could also bring diseases that would decimate the wild populations in America.

The Economist

That was the war-cry issued this month by Queen Rania of Jordan as part of an effort to marshal public and private funds for the fight against diseases that decimate youngsters in avoidable ways.

The Economist

For IBM in the late 1980s, it should have meant spotting that sales of its lucrative mainframe computers were set to shrink, and that clones of its PC were about to decimate its market share.Sensitivity, argues Mr de Geus, must go hand in hand with what he calls cohesion a strong sense of identity (a key finding of the Collins/Porras study, too).

The Economist

The government of Laos has repeatedly claimed it would heed the strong objections lodged by Cambodia and Vietnam, who fear that the dam's side effects could decimate fisheries and reduce the flow of sediment needed by farmlands downriver.There was a current of déjà vu swirling around Phnom Penh this month.

The Economist

It is, for instance, less vulnerable to animal-borne diseases which decimate livestock and can, as in the case of bird-flu, jump to humans.

The Economist

And, while most introductions of species be they rabbits or viruses to new environments fail, it only takes one success to decimate the local population of vegetables.

The Economist

Cutting voice prices to make traditional mobile calling more attractive would decimate their revenues, and raising data prices to discourage VoIP calling would erect more barriers to the take-up of their new data services upon which the operators are relying for future growth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decimate" when you want to emphasize a significant reduction or destruction, but be mindful of its original meaning referring to the killing of one-tenth. Ensure the context aligns with this sense of substantial loss or damage.

Common error

Avoid using "decimate" to describe complete annihilation. While often used to mean 'severely reduce', its historical sense implies a reduction by a tenth, so ensure the context reflects a substantial, but not total, destruction.

Linguistic Context

The word "decimate" functions primarily as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to complete its meaning. It describes the action of significantly reducing or destroying something. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe the reduction of populations, industries, and even emotions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decimate" is a transitive verb primarily used to convey a significant reduction or destruction. While its original meaning refers to reducing by one-tenth, it's now commonly used to denote a substantial loss. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It appears frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. When writing, be mindful of its historical connotation and avoid using it to describe complete annihilation. Alternatives such as "devastate" or "annihilate" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

devastate

Similar meaning, but often implies emotional or widespread destruction rather than a specific numerical reduction.

annihilate

Indicates complete destruction or obliteration, suggesting a higher degree of impact than "decimate".

eradicate

Implies the complete removal or elimination of something, often used in the context of diseases or problems.

obliterate

Suggests complete destruction to the point of being unrecognizable, similar to annihilate but can also apply to abstract concepts.

wipe out

An informal expression meaning to completely destroy or eliminate.

destroy

A general term for causing irreparable damage, less specific than "decimate".

reduce significantly

Focuses on the aspect of lessening something in number or size, without necessarily implying total ruin.

drastically reduce

Emphasizes a large reduction, but lacks the historical connotation of "decimate".

severely damage

Highlights the intensity of the harm inflicted, applicable to tangible and intangible subjects.

cripple

Implies a severe weakening or disabling effect, often used in the context of economic or physical harm.

FAQs

How can I use "decimate" in a sentence?

You can use "decimate" to describe a situation where something is significantly reduced or destroyed. For example: "The disease threatened to "decimate" the local wildlife population."

What can I say instead of "decimate"?

You can use alternatives like "devastate", "annihilate", or "drastically reduce" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "decimate" to mean completely destroy?

While commonly used to mean severely reduce or destroy, "decimate" originally meant to kill one in ten. Using it to mean complete destruction can be seen as imprecise. Consider using "annihilate" or "obliterate" if you mean complete destruction.

What's the difference between "decimate" and "devastate"?

"Decimate" implies a significant reduction, often with a historical connection to reducing by one-tenth, whereas "devastate" implies widespread destruction and ruin. "The storm devastated the city" suggests widespread damage, while "The policy decimated the industry" suggests a significant reduction in its size or activity.