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How to Pronounce Decimate

How to Pronounce "Decimate"

Definition: How to say "Decimate" and use it in a sentence

Phonetic Spelling:

ˈdɛsɪˌmeɪt – pronounced as DESS-uh-mayt

How to say "Decimate" correctly

Here are some definitions of Decimate.

  • To destroy a large proportion of
  • To severely reduce or destroy
  • To kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage or part of
  • To reduce something drastically
  • To cause great harm or destruction

Use Decimate in a sentence:

  • The plague decimated the population of the city.
  • The hurricane decimated the coastal town, leaving only rubble behind.
  • The economic crisis decimated the company’s profits.
  • The wildfire decimated the forest, leaving a barren landscape.
  • The war decimated the country’s infrastructure and economy.

Related words to Decimate:

Deciduous, Decimal, Decline, Decipher, Decorate, Delegate, Dedicate, Desolate, Deliberate, Demolish,

Synonyms for Decimate

Devastate, Annihilate, Destroy, Ruin, Obliterate, Exterminate, Demolish, Wreck, Devour, Eliminate,

Antonyms for Decimate

Rebuild, Restore, Replenish, Reconstruct, Revitalize, Rejuvenate, Renew, Multiply, Proliferate, Flourish,

Review Decimate
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Steps to improve your pronunciation

A few techniques that should help you perfect your pronunciation of ‘Decimate‘:

  • Try to Break ‘Decimate’ down into each individual sound, speak it out loud whilst exaggerating each sound until you can consistently say it without making a mistake.
  • Record ‘Decimate‘ in a full sentence then watch or listen back. You should be able to find all of your mistakes quite easily.
  • Look up pronunciation tutorials on Google on how to pronounce ‘Decimate‘ accurately.
  • Focus on a single accent: when you mix multiple accents, it can sometimes confuse people, especially for beginners, so select just one accent (US or UK), perhaps UK and stick to it!


More tips\techniques to enhance your accent and pronunciation, we recommend embrace these methods:

Practicing contraction and abbreviation in speech is normal in the U.S. and is viewed as a natural part of informal dialogue. For instance, altering “what are you going to do this weekend” to “what you gonna do this weekend” is widely accepted. Explore terms like ‘gonna’ and ‘wanna’ for more insights.

Improving your intonation is essential for English fluency. The ways you use stress, rhythm, and pitch in English are crucial in communicating your message and feelings. Many resources and videos on Youtube can aid you in understanding these aspects to pronounce ‘Decimate’.

Engage with multiple Youtube channels dedicated to English learning. These platforms offer complimentary resources that tackle essential language skills. Pronounce.tv is one more outstanding source for honing your pronunciation.

Mimicking native speakers can greatly improve your pronunciation. Listen to how they say ‘Decimate’ and attempt to replicate the tone, speed, and rhythm in your speech, making it habitual.

Incorporate phonetic exercises into your routine. Learning and practicing the phonetic sounds of English can help you improve your pronunciation of complex vocabulary.

Regularly use English in your daily conversations. The more you speak, the more adept you’ll become with the nuances of pronunciation and accent, improving your overall expressive capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the accurate pronunciation of decimate?

The accurate pronunciation of “decimate” is \ˈde-sə-ˌmāt\. The stress is on the second syllable, “sə.” It is important to note that the pronunciation of “decimate” can vary slightly depending on regional accents and dialects. The word is often mispronounced as \ˈde-si-ˌmāt\, with the stress on the first syllable, but the correct pronunciation follows the stress pattern mentioned earlier.

What is the accepted pronunciation of decimate?

The accepted pronunciation of “decimate” is DESS-uh-mayt. This word is commonly mispronounced as DESS-uh-mit, but the correct pronunciation emphasizes the second syllable and ends with a long “a” sound. “Decimate” comes from the Latin word “decimare,” which means “to tithe” or “to take a tenth.” It originally referred to a Roman military practice of punishing a group of soldiers by executing every tenth member. Today, “decimate” is commonly used to mean to destroy or reduce something by a large amount, often by one-tenth.

What is the real meaning of decimate?

The real meaning of “decimate” is to destroy or reduce something drastically, typically by one-tenth or ten percent. The term originated from the Latin word “decimare,” which referred to the Roman practice of punishing a military unit by executing every tenth soldier as a form of discipline. In modern usage, “decimate” is often used to describe situations where a large portion of a population, group, or thing is severely reduced or destroyed, often resulting in significant harm or damage. This can apply to various contexts, such as wildlife populations, ecosystems, or even abstract concepts like trust or morale.

What does Desmate mean?

Desmate is a term that refers to the act of drastically reducing or diminishing something, usually in terms of number, quantity, or size. This can be applied to various contexts, such as deforestation where trees are cut down in large numbers, or in business where a company may downsize its workforce. Overall, desmate signifies a significant decrease or reduction in something.

What is the literal meaning of decimation?

The literal meaning of decimation comes from its Latin roots, “decimatio,” which translates to “removal of a tenth.” In the context of the ancient Roman military, decimation was a severe form of punishment or discipline where every tenth soldier in a group was selected to be executed by their fellow cohort members. This brutal practice was intended to serve as a harsh deterrent against acts of mutiny, desertion, or other forms of disobedience within the ranks of the Roman army. The concept of decimation is a stark reminder of the strict discipline and harsh consequences that were enforced in ancient military societies.

What is the correct way to pronounce decimate?

The correct way to pronounce “decimate” is DESS-uh-mayt. The stress is on the second syllable, and the “c” is pronounced as an “s” sound. The word comes from the Latin word “decimare,” which means “to take a tenth.” In ancient Rome, the term was used to describe the practice of punishing a group of soldiers by killing every tenth man as a form of discipline. Over time, the meaning has evolved to refer to the act of destroying or significantly reducing something, often by a large proportion.

Can you clarify the pronunciation of decimate?

The word “decimate” is pronounced as “DESS-uh-mayt.” The stress is on the second syllable, and the “c” is pronounced as an “s.” The word comes from the Latin word “decimare,” which means “to take a tenth.” In ancient Rome, it was a military punishment where one in every ten soldiers in a unit would be executed as a form of discipline. Over time, the meaning of “decimate” has evolved to mean to destroy a large proportion of something or to severely reduce its numbers.

What is the proper pronunciation of the word decimate?

The proper pronunciation of the word “decimate” is \ˈde-sə-ˌmāt\. The stress is on the second syllable, pronounced “suh,” and the “c” is pronounced as a soft “s” sound. The word comes from the Latin “decimare,” which means to tithe or to take a tenth. In modern usage, “decimate” means to destroy or kill a large portion of something, often used to describe a significant reduction in numbers or strength.

What is the meaning of decimating?

The term “decimating” originally comes from the Latin word “decimare,” which means “to tithe” or “to take a tenth.” In modern usage, it refers to the act of killing or destroying a large portion or number of something. When a population, group, or entity is said to be decimated, it means that a significant portion of it has been eliminated or greatly reduced. This can refer to physical destruction, such as in the case of a plague decimating a population, or it can also refer to a significant reduction in numbers or resources. Overall, the term “decimating” conveys a sense of severe and significant loss or destruction.

How do you properly pronounce decimate?

The proper pronunciation of “decimate” is DESS-uh-mayt. The stress is on the second syllable, and the “c” is pronounced as an “s” sound. The word comes from the Latin word “decimare,” which means “to tithe” or “to take a tenth.” In its original usage, “decimate” referred to the Roman practice of punishing a group of soldiers by executing every tenth member. Over time, the meaning has evolved to refer more generally to the act of severely damaging or destroying a large portion of something.

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