decimated
decimated — 動詞
- 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
重創；削減
大幅減少或破壞某群體
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.
一場突然爆發的疾病在一週內就重創了農場的雞群。
The wildfire decimated the ancient forest, turning miles of green woodland into blackened ash.
野火大量燒毀了古老的森林，將數英里的綠樹變成焦黑的灰燼。
decimate + noun phrase (wildfire decimated forest)
Budget cuts have decimated after-school music and art programmes across the district.
預算削減已大幅刪減了該學區的課後音樂與美術課程。
The fishing community was decimated by the tsunami that struck before dawn.
這個漁業社區在黎明前遭海嘯重創。
Overfishing has decimated tuna populations in many parts of the ocean.
過度捕撈已使海洋許多區域的鮪魚數量銳減。
- 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 — 形容詞
- decimatedpositive
- more decimatedcomparative
- most decimatedsuperlative
1. greatly reduced in size, number, or amount, almost always because something dest
銳減的
數量大幅減少的
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.
數量銳減的大象族群在全區已不到兩百頭。
decimated [population/group] — describes a drastically reduced group
Elena found the coral reef decimated, with only broken shells where colourful fish once swam.
Elena 發現曾經繁茂的珊瑚礁已大幅萎縮，只剩下破碎的貝殼，不見五彩繽紛的魚群。
After the earthquake, the decimated workforce could not rebuild the factory fast enough.
地震過後，員工人數銳減的勞動力無法及時重建工廠。
Scientists reported a decimated bee colony with only a few dozen survivors left alive.
科學家通報一個蜂群數量銳減，只剩下幾十隻蜜蜂存活。
- 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
重創的
受到嚴重破壞的
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.
遭受重創的社區一片死寂，大部分的房屋都變成了碎石的廢墟。
decimated neighbourhood = neighbourhood with buildings destroyed
Hugo looked at the decimated garden where every plant had been killed by the frost.
Hugo 看著受重創的花園，園裡每株植物都被霜害凍死了。
The team's decimated defence let in five goals during the first half of the match.
該隊元氣大傷的防守在上半場就失了五球。
Nadia walked through the decimated market where every stall had been burnt to the ground.
Nadia 走過遭到重創的市場，每個攤位都被燒成了平地。
- 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.