decimated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'decimated' is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It means to severely reduce or damage something, often by a large amount. It is typically used in situations of destruction or devastation. Example: The hurricane decimated the small town, leaving behind nothing but ruins and debris.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The upper echelons of the Brotherhood's leadership have been decimated by the crackdown, as the Egyptian authorities pursue a "decapitation strategy" that aims to disrupt the structure of the organisation.

The Guardian

A struggling city, decimated by the decline of its manufacturing base, had seemingly reinvented itself by – of all things – betting big on culture.

The Guardian

The Fianna Fáil party that captured mainstream nationalism and dominated Irish politics for half a century was decimated in February's election.

The Guardian

But while the heaviest industry has been largely decimated (there are few exceptions, such as Sheffield Forgemasters), the clanking sound of industry, accompanied by tinny pop songs played over the radio, can still be heard coming from the few remaining canal-side factories here.

The Guardian

Whereas chytrid has decimated amphibians across the Americas, researchers have discovered that some species show resilience to chytrid – especially in parts of Asia and Africa – where they have probably lived with the disease for centuries.

The Guardian

Saturday's Football League action has been decimated as the freezing weather conditions tighten their grip on sport.

The Guardian - Sport

Creativity and the arts have been decimated in many schools; citizenship abolished, vocational subjects downgraded.

The Guardian

After Scottish Labour was decimated at the election, Murphy insisted he would stay on despite losing his own seat of East Renfrewshire.

The Guardian

Fianna Fáil strategists argue that if the Greens brought down the coalition and precipitated a general election in the winter, the minority party would be decimated in the polls.

The Guardian

Soon these lovely birds will quit the hills and head to the estuary below, where flocks of so many species have been decimated in the time I've known it.

The Guardian

Now it is different – even if the tourist industry, decimated in 2011 during the Arab Spring when huge numbers of migrants paralysed the island, picked up this year due to continued violence in Egypt, the visit of the pope, and – of course – the TripAdvisor fame of spiaggia dei conigli – literally, "rabbits' beach".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decimated" when you want to emphasize a severe reduction or destruction, often implying a significant loss in numbers or strength. Be mindful of the historical context, where it originally meant reducing by one-tenth, although modern usage often implies a much greater reduction.

Common error

Avoid limiting your understanding of "decimated" to its original historical meaning of reducing by one-tenth. While some purists insist on this definition, contemporary usage commonly implies a much more substantial reduction or destruction. Focus on conveying the scale of devastation, not a precise ratio.

Linguistic Context

The word "decimated" functions primarily as a verb, typically used in the past participle form ("has been decimated", "was decimated") to describe the action of severely reducing or destroying something. It indicates a significant loss or reduction in number or strength, consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "decimated" is a verb that describes a severe reduction or destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common usage in written English. While historically meaning a reduction by one-tenth, modern usage typically implies a much greater loss. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as formal business and scientific contexts. When writing, consider the emphasis you want to place: if you want to stress the impact of a destructive event or process, "decimated" is an effective choice. Alternatives such as "severely reduced" or "largely destroyed" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severely reduced

Focuses on the reduction aspect, emphasizing the extent of the decrease rather than the destructive process.

substantially diminished

Highlights a considerable decrease, suitable when the reduction is significant but perhaps not total.

heavily damaged

Emphasizes the damage inflicted, useful when the destruction is a key focus.

largely destroyed

Indicates widespread destruction, focusing on the extent of the damage.

drastically decreased

Highlights the sharp decline in quantity or value.

significantly weakened

Focuses on the weakening effect, suitable when strength or capacity is reduced.

virtually annihilated

Emphasizes near-total destruction, suggesting very little remains.

almost wiped out

Suggests a near-complete elimination, suitable for populations or resources.

suffered heavy losses

Highlights the losses incurred, suitable for situations involving casualties or significant reductions.

reduced to a fraction

Quantifies the reduction, emphasizing how small the remaining portion is.

FAQs

How can I use "decimated" in a sentence?

You can use "decimated" to describe something that has been severely reduced or destroyed. For example, "The plague "decimated" the population of the city" or "The company's profits were "decimated" by the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to using the word "decimated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "severely reduced", "largely destroyed", or "substantially diminished" to convey a similar meaning to "decimated".

Is it correct to use "decimated" to mean almost completely destroyed?

While historically "decimated" meant reducing by one-tenth, in modern usage it commonly implies severe reduction or near destruction. Many sources accept this broader definition, so it's generally acceptable to use it to mean almost completely destroyed. However, be aware that some may prefer a more literal interpretation.

What's the difference between "decimated" and "destroyed"?

"Decimated" implies a significant reduction in number or strength, often due to a specific event or cause. "Destroyed", on the other hand, simply means completely ruined or obliterated, without necessarily implying a prior state or a specific cause of reduction.