wipe out the population vs decimate the population

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings and connotations. 'Wipe out the population' means to completely destroy or eliminate the entire population, while 'decimate the population' means to reduce it by a significant amount, traditionally by one-tenth. The choice between the two depends on the degree of destruction or reduction you want to convey.

Last updated: March 28, 2024

wipe out the population

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean completely destroy or eliminate the entire population.

This phrase is used when referring to the complete destruction or elimination of a population, leaving no survivors.

Examples:

The virus could wipe out the population of the island if not contained.
The tsunami wiped out the population of the coastal town.
The nuclear disaster threatened to wipe out the population of the region.

Alternatives:

eradicate the population
annihilate the population
exterminate the population
eliminate the population
destroy the population

decimate the population

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to mean to reduce by a significant amount, traditionally by one-tenth.

This phrase is used when referring to a significant reduction in the population, often implying a large-scale loss of life.

Examples:

The war decimated the population of the city.
The famine decimated the population of the country.
The plague decimated the population of the village.

Alternatives:

reduce the population significantly
cut the population by a large amount
diminish the population greatly
slash the population numbers
deplete the population

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wipe out the population vs decimate the population