decimate
B2formal, written, academic, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
To kill or destroy a large proportion of something.
To drastically reduce the strength, effectiveness, or number of something, often by 10% historically, but now implies a much larger reduction.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used hyperbolically to mean 'severely reduce' rather than literal destruction. Purists argue it originally meant to kill one in ten, but modern usage accepts 'devastate' or 'annihilate a large part'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Usage frequency and register are similar.
Connotations
Carries connotations of severe, often irreversible loss or damage in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in written news and historical contexts than in casual speech in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] decimated [Object] (e.g., The hurricane decimated the coastal town.)[Object] was decimated by [Agent] (e.g., The army was decimated by guerrilla attacks.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated. Often used within phrases like 'decimate to the point of...']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The new regulations decimated the company's profit margins.
Academic
The Black Death decimated the population of medieval Europe.
Everyday
That last frost completely decimated my tomato plants.
Technical
The invasive species decimated the native fish population, altering the ecosystem.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The budget cuts will decimate the public transport network.
- The epidemic decimated the local wildlife.
American English
- The recession decimated the manufacturing sector.
- The fire decimated the forest.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard. No adverb form.]
American English
- [Not standard. No adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- [Not standard. Use 'decimated' as participle adjective: 'The decimated battalion retreated.']
American English
- [Not standard. Use 'decimated' as participle adjective: 'The decimated town struggled to recover.']
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too complex for A2. Use simpler synonym 'destroy'.]
- The bad weather decimated the fruit harvest.
- Many soldiers were decimated in the battle.
- Deforestation has decimated the habitat of countless species.
- The scandal decimated the politician's popularity overnight.
- The new policy threatens to decimate the fragile coalition supporting the government.
- His critique decimated the central tenets of their economic theory.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DECImate' and the decimal system (based on ten). Historically, it meant to kill one in ten. Now it means to destroy a large part.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESTRUCTION IS A MATHEMATICAL REDUCTION (taking a large percentage away).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'децимация' (decimation), which is a direct cognate but is a specific historical/military term. The English verb is used more broadly.
- Avoid translating as 'уничтожить десять процентов' (destroy ten percent); the modern meaning is closer to 'уничтожить большую часть' (destroy a large part).
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean 'defeat utterly' or 'completely destroy' (though this is common, purists object).
- Using it for trivial reductions (e.g., 'The rain decimated our picnic plans' is considered poor style).
- Confusing it with 'devastate' in emotional contexts ('The news decimated her' is less idiomatic than 'devastated').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate use of 'decimate'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its historical Roman military meaning was to kill one in ten as punishment, its standard modern meaning is to kill, destroy, or remove a large proportion of something.
Many style guides and purists consider it incorrect, preferring words like 'annihilate' or 'obliterate' for complete destruction. However, this usage is now very common.
Yes. It is commonly used metaphorically for things like profits, morale, populations, or resources (e.g., 'Funding was decimated by the cuts').
Using it for minor or trivial reductions, or in overly casual contexts where a simpler word like 'reduce' or 'damage' would be more appropriate and accurate.
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