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to decimate
01
to kill large groups of people
Transitive: to decimate a group of people
Example
The deadly virus threatened to decimate the population if not controlled.
The invading army aimed to decimate the opposing forces during the battle.
02
(in a Roman legion) to kill one in every ten soldier
Transitive: to decimate a group of soldiers
Example
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.
word family
decimal
Adjective
decimate
Verb
decimation
Noun
decimation
Noun
Nearby Words
