depopulate

[dee-pop-yuh-leyt, dee-pop-yuh-lit, -leyt]

verb (used with object)

depopulated, depopulating 

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

Other Word Forms

• depopulation noun
• depopulative adjective
• depopulator 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

Not only is Oregon’s map seen as at fault for higher insurance premiums, one conservative talk radio host calls it an attempt to “depopulate rural areas.”

From Salon

The fear is that if these valleys become depopulated, other aspects of unique mountain culture could be lost too - like the Tschäggättä, traditional wooden masks, unique to the Loetschental valley.

From BBC

“It is key to note that the court denied an indiscriminate mass release of youth, and that Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall will not be fully depopulated or closed.”

From Los Angeles Times

Are there other ways that an urban community could improve its fire resilience short of depopulating and creating large fire breaks between homes?

From Los Angeles Times

Even music venues that survived the fire are facing the fallout of a depopulated beach community.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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