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

“We can only go to each other maybe five times a year, because of sustainability—we don’t want to deplete the resources,” Williams says.

From Slate

What they couldn’t afford was to lose and deplete their bullpen in the process.

From Los Angeles Times

It would completely deplete the soils.

From Salon

They also worry that the development could deplete or contaminate the tree’s water source, or damage the tree’s root system.

From Los Angeles Times

“Some areas of the city do not need these programs. And if you try to do things citywide, then you deplete the resources where the areas that need these programs that most need concentrated services.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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