deplete

[ dih-pleet ]

verb (used with object)

, de·plet·ed, de·plet·ing.

1. to decrease seriously or exhaust the abundance or supply of:

   The fire had depleted the game in the forest. Extravagant spending soon depleted his funds.

   Synonyms: lessen, consume, reduce, drain

deplete

/ dɪˈpliːt /

verb

1. to use up (supplies, money, energy, etc); reduce or exhaust
2. to empty entirely or partially
3. med to empty or reduce the fluid contents of (an organ or vessel)

Derived Forms

• deˈpletion, noun
• deˈpletive, adjective
• deˈpletable, adjective

Other Words From

• de·pleta·ble adjective
• de·pletion noun
• de·pletive de·ple·to·ry [dih-, plee, -t, uh, -ree], adjective
• nonde·pleta·ble adjective
• nonde·pletion noun
• nonde·pletive adjective
• nonde·pleto·ry adjective
• prede·plete verb (used with object) predepleted predepleting
• prede·pletion noun
• unde·pleted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deplete¹

1800–10; < Latin dēplētus empty (past participle of dēplēre to empty out), equivalent to dē- de- + plē ( re ) to fill + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of deplete¹

C19: from Latin dēplēre to empty out, from de- + plēre to fill

Example Sentences

He notes that China’s shallower natural resources, within 500 meters of the surface, “are almost depleted.”

From Science Magazine

The fact that Carsley was able to engineer two such comprehensive wins with a squad depleted by those nine withdrawals will only add to his personal stock, along with both his and the FA's satisfaction.

From BBC

Spiny and slipper lobsters, particularly targeted to supply more tourist-intensive islands, were also considered depleted.

From Science Daily

Iza is accused of keeping pictures of the party planner’s credit cards and enough other personal information to continue taking money, eventually depleting the man’s accounts of “tens of thousands of dollars.”

From Los Angeles Times

The ideal situation is that Gaetz loses and spends the next four years encouraging Trump to drive out more members of the party, depleting their already thinned-out ranks.

From Salon

Related Words

• bankrupt
• decrease
• diminish
• drain
• empty
• expend
• impoverish
• lessen
• reduce
• sap
• squander
• undermine
• use up
• weaken