unpeople

American  

[uhn-pee-puhl] / ʌnˈpi pəl /

verb (used with object)

unpeopled, unpeopling

1. to deprive of people; person; depopulate.

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unpeople British  

/ ʌnˈpiːpəl /

verb

1. (tr) to empty of people

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Etymology

Origin of unpeople

First recorded in 1525–35; un- ² + people

Example Sentences

He must be at least thirty-five years old, a doctor of the faculty, and eminent for his religion and honesty, that his rashness or ignorance may not unpeople the commonwealth.

From Seeing Europe with Famous Authors, Volume 8 Italy and Greece, Part Two by Halsey, Francis W. (Francis Whiting)

I have given him that Which, if he take, shall quite unpeople her Of liegers for her sweet, and which she after, Except she bend her humour, shall be assur'd To taste of too.

From Cymbeline by Shakespeare, William

Baur says, "The aim of Buddhism is that all may obtain unity with the original empty Space, so as to unpeople the worlds."

From The Destiny of the Soul A Critical History of the Doctrine of a Future Life by Alger, William Rounseville

But, come away— Get me some ink and paper: he shall have every day A several greeting, or I'll unpeople Egypt.

From Characteristics of Women Moral, Poetical, and Historical by Jameson, Mrs. (Anna)

The ravages of a contagious disorder would be felt for ages; and an earthquake might unpeople a region for ever.

From An Essay on the Principle of Population by Malthus, T. R. (Thomas Robert)