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

Despite Israel’s assurances, many Gazans fear that it aims to depopulate the north of the strip and turn it into a closed military zone or a Jewish settlement.

From BBC

“Too many people think there’s nothing here, that we’re depopulated, so they try to place him here.”

From Los Angeles Times

The fighting has displaced some 110,000 people in Lebanon, and approximately 60,000 in northern Israel, leaving both sides of the border depopulated.

From Los Angeles Times

But when is the last time you read about anything good taking place in a deindustrialized, depopulating, or aging community?

From Salon

Israeli officials are under tremendous pressure to return their citizens to the sovereign territory Hezbollah has effectively depopulated for most of a year.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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