de
ci
mate
Third Person
decimates
Present Participle
decimating
Past Tense
decimated
Past Participle
decimated
1
to kill large groups of people
transitive
- The deadly virus threatened to decimate the population if not controlled.
- The invading army aimed to decimate the opposing forces during the battle.
- The famine had the potential to decimate the already vulnerable communities.
- The plague had the ability to decimate medieval towns and cities.
- During the war, conflicts decimated the soldiers on the front lines.
2
(in a Roman legion) to kill one in every ten soldier
transitive
- The general decided to decimate the rebellious soldiers as a harsh punishment.
- In ancient times, the Roman legions would decimate their own ranks to maintain discipline.
- The invading army threatened to decimate the city's defenses if they resisted.
- The leader vowed not to decimate his troops, but to find a fair solution to the conflict.