decimated me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decimated me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been severely affected or overwhelmed, often in a negative context. Example: "The unexpected news decimated me, leaving me in a state of shock and disbelief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Follow Eve Peyser on TwItter.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"She decimates me," Schreck said.

The New Yorker

For 30m I would actually be able to stay with Justin, but between 30 and 40 he'd decimate me.

Independent

I offer my seat to anyone who seems as if he or she could use it more than I, which sometimes includes young chaps (who look viciously hung over), and occasionally excludes older folks (who look as if they could decimate me in a road race).

The New York Times

"Decimated houses, decimated health care, decimated schools.

The New Yorker

Mid-chug, a man sat down next to me and artlessly decimated a horrific looking sandwich.

Vice

And what concerns me most is that photographers as a profession are being decimated by online theft".

BBC

So it was particularly harrowing for me to read about the 7.7 magnitude earthquake and tsunami that decimated the city on Sept. 28.

Huffington Post

"The Internet has decimated their business, and they still don't know how instant messaging works," he told me.

The New Yorker

And that just makes me think of having muscles that would allow me to decimate any adversary.

Vice

Many beds were decimated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decimated me" when you want to express a feeling of being severely reduced, weakened, or destroyed by something. Make sure the context supports the intensity of the term.

Common error

Avoid using "decimated me" for trivial setbacks or inconveniences. This phrase carries a strong connotation of destruction and should be reserved for truly significant impacts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decimated me" functions as a verb phrase where "decimated" is the verb, and "me" is the direct object. Based on Ludwig's analysis, it describes an action that significantly reduces or destroys the subject's (in this case, the speaker's) state or condition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decimated me" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression used to convey a strong feeling of being overwhelmed, weakened, or destroyed by something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It's important to reserve this phrase for situations where the impact is genuinely significant, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts. Alternatives like "crushed me" or "devastated me" can provide similar expressive power while potentially avoiding exaggeration. Ludwig examples predominantly come from news sources, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crushed me

This alternative shifts the imagery from reducing in number to a feeling of being utterly defeated or emotionally flattened.

devastated me

This alternative emphasizes the emotional impact and the sense of ruin or destruction caused by an event or news.

shattered me

This alternative indicates a more sudden and violent breaking apart, implying a loss of composure or emotional stability.

overwhelmed me

This alternative conveys the feeling of being inundated or overpowered by something, suggesting a loss of control.

defeated me

This alternative focuses on the sense of failure or loss in a competition or struggle, emphasizing the lack of success.

destroyed me

This alternative indicates complete ruin or obliteration, often suggesting a long-lasting or irreparable impact.

ruined me

This alternative indicates a loss of fortune, status, or well-being, suggesting a negative impact on one's life or prospects.

undid me

This alternative suggests a reversal or cancellation of one's progress or plans, implying a significant setback.

dismayed me

This alternative is milder, suggesting disappointment and discouragement rather than complete devastation.

took its toll on me

This alternative shifts the focus to the gradual impact of something over time, rather than a sudden or complete destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "decimated me" in a sentence?

You can use "decimated me" to describe a situation where you feel severely weakened or defeated by an event. For example, "The unexpected loss of the contract "decimated me"."

What's a less dramatic alternative to "decimated me"?

If you want to express a similar idea with less intensity, consider using alternatives like "disappointed me", "saddened me", or "affected me" depending on the context.

Is "decimated me" an exaggeration in most situations?

While grammatically correct, "decimated me" implies a significant level of destruction or weakening. It's important to consider whether the situation truly warrants such a strong term.

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

"Destroyed me" suggests a complete and utter ruin, while "decimated me" implies a severe reduction or weakening, often with the possibility of some remaining resilience. While both are strong, "destroyed me" tends to indicate a more irreversible state.