1. to destroy or kill a large portion of something
Usage: past participle of decimate; commonly used to mean severe destruction rather than the historical meaning of killing one in ten
2. to kill one in every ten of a group of people as punishment
Usage: historical; original Roman military meaning

Examples

• The hurricane decimated the coastal town.
• Disease decimated the rabbit population.
• The economic crisis decimated small businesses.
• Overfishing has decimated fish stocks in the area.
• The Roman army decimated rebellious legions as punishment.
• Drought decimated the crops this year.