Main Entry: de·plete

Pronunciation: \di-ˈplēt\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): de·plet·ed; de·plet·ing

Etymology: Latin depletus, past participle of deplēre, from de- + plēre to fill — more at full

Date: 1807

1 : to empty of a principal substance
2 : to lessen markedly in quantity, content, power, or value

— de·plet·able \-ˈplē-tə-bəl\ adjective

— de·plet·er \-ˈplē-tər\ noun

— de·ple·tion \-ˈplē-shən\ noun

— de·ple·tive \-ˈplē-tiv\ adjective

synonyms deplete, drain, exhaust, impoverish, bankrupt mean to deprive of something essential to existence or potency. deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function <depleting our natural resources>. drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence <personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit>. exhaust stresses a complete emptying <her lecture exhausted the subject>. impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness <impoverished soil>. bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse <war had bankrupted the nation of resources>.