Definitions
decimate
- Referring to the destruction of a large portion of something, usually a population or group. - Describing a significant reduction in numbers or size due to a specific cause or event. - Talking about the elimination of a significant proportion of something, often as a result of a disaster or conflict.
- Describing the complete destruction or ruin of something, often with emotional or psychological impact. - Referring to the overwhelming shock or grief caused by a tragic event or loss. - Talking about the severe damage or destruction caused by a natural disaster or conflict.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe significant destruction or reduction.
- 2Both words can be used to describe the impact of natural disasters or conflicts.
- 3Both words can have emotional or psychological connotations.
- 4Both words can be used in the past tense or past participle form.
What is the difference?
- 1Scope: Decimate refers to the destruction of a significant portion of something, while devastate implies complete destruction or ruin.
- 2Emotion: Devastate emphasizes the emotional or psychological impact of the destruction, while decimate is more neutral in tone.
- 3Cause: Decimate often implies a specific cause or event that led to the destruction, while devastate can refer to any type of destruction.
- 4Intensity: Devastate implies a higher level of destruction or impact than decimate.
- 5Usage: Decimate is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, while devastate is more versatile and can be used in various contexts.
Remember this!
Decimate and devastate are synonyms that both describe significant destruction or reduction. However, decimate refers to the destruction of a significant portion of something, while devastate implies complete destruction or ruin. Additionally, devastate emphasizes the emotional or psychological impact of the destruction, while decimate is more neutral in tone and often implies a specific cause or event that led to the destruction.
