deplete

[dih-pleet]

verb (used with object)

depleted, depleting 

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)

Other Word Forms

• depletable adjective
• depletion noun
• depletive adjective
• depletory adjective
• nondepletable adjective
• nondepletion noun
• nondepletive adjective
• nondepletory adjective
• predeplete verb (used with object)
• predepletion noun
• undepleted 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

In addition to the melting of glaciers and ice caps, many regions are getting drier and depleting their groundwater.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite staff being depleted by buyouts and a hiring freeze, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has ordered parks to remain “open and accessible.”

From Los Angeles Times

Short-term rental companies have been accused of depleting housing stock by removing them from the long-term rental market, thereby driving up rents and exacerbating L.A.’s homelessness crisis.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s not just small communities having their aquifer depleted. You’re actually affecting the wealth accumulation of homeowners in the valley and their ability to sell their homes not at a loss,” Fencl said.

From Los Angeles Times

Doctoral and postdoctoral students, whose tuition and living expenses are often funded by grants in exchange for lab work, are rushing to speed up their graduation plans before stipends become depleted.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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