depopulate

[ verb dee-pop-yuh-leyt; adjective dee-pop-yuh-lit, -leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, de·pop·u·lat·ed, de·pop·u·lat·ing.

1. to remove or reduce the population of, as by destruction or expulsion.

adjective

1. Archaic. depopulated.

depopulate

/ dɪˈpɒpjʊˌleɪt /

verb

1. to be or cause to be reduced in population

Derived Forms

• deˌpopuˈlation, noun

Other Words From

• de·popu·lation noun
• de·popu·lative adjective
• de·popu·lator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of depopulate¹

1525–35; < Latin dēpopulātus devastated (past participle of dēpopulārī ), equivalent to dē- de- + populātus; populate

Example Sentences

For full access to a genuine voice, Hemingway argues that a writer must depopulate his or her world, physically or metaphysically.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, in the early 1770s, the movement of people westward was so large that it threatened to depopulate Britain.

From The Daily Beast

For the benefit of trade and religion, Los Rios thinks it advisable to depopulate Macao and suppress it.

From Project Gutenberg

A landlord who was determined to depopulate could hardly in the long run be prevented from succeeding in his object.

From Project Gutenberg

To compel the Bishops to reside within their dioceses would depopulate the Court of Rome, and make it very much poorer.

From Project Gutenberg

The principle of entailing landed estates tends to impoverish the people, drive them to emigration, and so depopulate the country.

From Project Gutenberg

To confine man absolutely either to animal or vegetable food would be to depopulate a large part of the earth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• annihilate
• butcher
• decimate
• exterminate
• murder
• slaughter
• slay