decimated
decimated — verb
- decimatedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- decimateds3rd person singular
- decimateding-ing form
- decimatededpast simple
1. to destroy or kill such a large proportion of a group, population, or system tha
to destroy or kill such a large proportion of a group, population, or system that only a small, weakened part remains
A sudden outbreak of disease decimated the farm's chicken flock within a single week.
The wildfire decimated the ancient forest, turning miles of green woodland into blackened ash.
decimate + noun phrase (wildfire decimated forest)
Budget cuts have decimated after-school music and art programmes across the district.
The fishing community was decimated by the tsunami that struck before dawn.
Overfishing has decimated tuna populations in many parts of the ocean.
- devastate
Similar strength but focuses more on emotional or physical ruin, not necessarily numerical reduction
- annihilate
Stronger — implies near-total or complete destruction
- ravage
Describes violent, sweeping damage over a wide area, often used for land or crops
文法句型
be + decimated + by + noun phrase
decimate + noun phrase
用法筆記
Commonly used with natural disasters, diseases, budget cuts, or wars as the agent. Often in passive voice when focusing on the affected group rather than the cause.
常見錯誤
decimated — adjective
- decimatedpositive
- more decimatedcomparative
- most decimatedsuperlative
1. greatly reduced in size, number, or amount, almost always because something dest
greatly reduced in size, number, or amount, almost always because something destructive has happened
The decimated elephant population now numbers fewer than two hundred animals across the entire region.
decimated [population/group] — describes a drastically reduced group
Elena found the coral reef decimated, with only broken shells where colourful fish once swam.
After the earthquake, the decimated workforce could not rebuild the factory fast enough.
Scientists reported a decimated bee colony with only a few dozen survivors left alive.
- flourishing
Growing or thriving in large numbers
- abundant
Existing in large quantities
文法句型
decimated + noun
be + decimated
用法筆記
Focuses on numerical reduction. Use when the key point is that a group has become much smaller. Differs from the 'BADLY DAMAGED' sense, which focuses on the physical state of what remains.
常見錯誤
2. left in a state of severe damage or ruin, so that something is barely functionin
left in a state of severe damage or ruin, so that something is barely functioning or hardly recognisable
The decimated neighbourhood lay silent, with most homes turned into piles of broken concrete.
decimated neighbourhood = neighbourhood with buildings destroyed
Hugo looked at the decimated garden where every plant had been killed by the frost.
The team's decimated defence let in five goals during the first half of the match.
Nadia walked through the decimated market where every stall had been burnt to the ground.
- devastated
Very similar in strength and usage; 'decimated' puts more focus on the scale of loss rather than emotional impact
- ravaged
Suggests violent, sweeping destruction, often by natural forces
- ruined
More general; does not necessarily imply large-scale destruction
文法句型
decimated + noun
lie + decimated
be left + decimated
用法筆記
Emphasises the ruined condition or impaired function of what remains, not just the drop in numbers. Often describes buildings, landscapes, organisations, or teams.