To decimate a system or organization means to reduce its size and effectiveness greatly.
...a recession which decimated the nation's manufacturing industry. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: reduce, diminish, decrease, weaken More Synonyms of decimate
decimationuncountable noun [usually NOUNof noun]
Government policies have resulted in a decimation of essential services used by thepoor.
decimate in British English
(ˈdɛsɪˌmeɪt)
verb(transitive)
1.
to destroy or kill a large proportion of
a plague decimated the population
2.
(esp in the ancient Roman army) to kill every tenth man of (a mutinous section)
▶ USAGE One talks about the whole of something being decimated, not a part: disease decimated the population, not disease decimated most of the population
Derived forms
decimation (ˌdeciˈmation)
noun
decimator (ˈdeciˌmator)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin decimāre, from decimus tenth, from decem ten
decimate in American English
(ˈdɛsəˌmeɪt)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈdeciˌmated or ˈdeciˌmating
1. Obsolete
to select by lot and kill every tenth one of
2.
to destroy or kill a large part of
famine decimated the population
3. Obsolete
to take a tenth part of; tithe
Derived forms
decimation (ˌdeciˈmation)
noun
decimator (ˈdeciˌmator)
noun
Word origin
< L decimatus, pp. of decimare < decem, ten
Examples of 'decimate' in a sentence
decimate
We are bringing up massed multiple rocket-launchers to decimate the enemy before the tanks move in.
Shah, Idries KARA KUSH (2002)
In other languages
decimate
British English: decimate VERB
To decimate something such as a group of people or animals means to destroy a very large number of them.
The pollution could decimate the river's thriving population of kingfishers.
American English: decimate
Brazilian Portuguese: dizimar
Chinese: 大量毁灭
European Spanish: diezmar
French: décimer
German: dezimieren
Italian: decimare
Japanese: 多くを殺す
Korean: 대량 학살하다
European Portuguese: dizimar
Latin American Spanish: diezmar
1 (verb)
Definition
to destroy or kill a large proportion of
Pollution could decimate the river's population of kingfishers.
Synonyms
destroy
The building was completely destroyed.
devastate
A fire devastated large parts of the castle.
wipe out
ravage
Drought ravaged the area.
eradicate
battling to eradicate illnesses such as malaria and tetanus
annihilate
The army was annihilated.
put paid to
lay waste
wreak havoc on
2 (verb)
The recession decimated the nation's manufacturing industry.
Synonyms
reduce
Consumption is being reduced by 25 per cent.
diminish
Federalism is intended to diminish the power of the central state.
decrease
The medication is said to decrease the risk of heart attack.
weaken
Her opponents believe that her authority has been fatally weakened.
lessen
Keep immunisations up to date to lessen the risk of serious illness.
wind down
The storm was winding down at long last.
downsize
kennet (Australian, slang)
jeff (Australian, slang)
Usage note
This word, which comes from Latin, originally referred to the slaughtering of one in ten soldiers, a practice of the army of Ancient Rome. In current language, however, the meaning of the word has broadened and it is now used not only to describe the destruction of people and animals, but also of institutions: overseas visitors will stay away in droves, decimating the tourist industry. Synonyms such as destroy (for people and animals) and reduce (for institutions) are appropriate alternatives.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of annihilate
Definition
to destroy (a place or a group of people) completely
The army was annihilated.
Synonyms
destroy,
abolish,
wipe out,
erase,
eradicate,
extinguish,
obliterate,
liquidate,
root out,
exterminate,
nullify,
extirpate (archaic),
wipe from the face of the earth,
kennet (Australian, slang),
jeff (Australian, slang)
in the sense of decrease
Definition
to make or become less in size, strength, or quantity
The medication is said to decrease the risk of heart attack.