decimate
verb
UK/ˈdes.ɪ.meɪt/
US/ˈdes.ə.meɪt/
Definitions of decimate verb
- TransitiveUsually passive
to severely reduce the number or amount of something, often causing great destruction or loss.
The plague nearly decimated the population of the entire village.
The forest fire decimated thousands of acres of woodland.
The war decimated the country's economy.