decimate
Definitions
To kill, destroy, or remove a large proportion of a group.
To drastically reduce the strength or effectiveness of something.
Examples
The invasive beetle population threatened to decimate the local forest.
Budget cuts will likely decimate the department's ability to conduct research.
The sudden plague served to decimate the village's livestock within a single week.
Synonyms
annihilate devastate destroy obliterate ravage slaughter exterminate