deplete

verb

de·​plete di-ˈplēt How to pronounce deplete (audio)
depleted; depleting; depletes

transitive verb

1
: to empty of a principal substance
The lake was depleted of water.
depleting the country of its natural resources
2
: to lessen markedly in quantity, content, power, or value
deplete our life savings
their depleted resources
depletable adjective
depleter noun
depletion noun
depletive adjective

Did you know?

The de- prefix often means "do the opposite of", so deplete means the opposite of "fill". Thus, for example, a kitchen's food supplies can be rapidly depleted by hungry teenagers. But deplete often suggests something more serious. Desertions can deplete an army; layoffs can deplete an office staff; and too much time in bed can rapidly deplete your muscular strength.

Choose the Right Synonym for deplete

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

Examples of deplete in a Sentence

Activities such as logging and mining deplete our natural resources. We completely depleted our life savings when we bought our new house.
Recent Examples on the Web Some of those funds are to replenish US military stocks depleted by previous donations of weaponry and ammunition to Ukraine and to help other countries impacted by the geopolitical situation. Henrik Pettersson, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 For much of the past five months, Russia’s strategy was to conduct multipronged attacks to deplete and exhaust Ukrainian forces along the frontline. Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 The Ducks enter this matchup depleted by injuries and trades. Andrew Knoll, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2024 Since there is no money to replenish the equipment and weapons sent, the military would be depleting its stockpiles and potentially risking harm to unit readiness for war. Stephen Groves and Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024 In depleting the Su-34 fleet, and fast, the Ukrainians deprive the Russians of their best precision bomber. David Axe, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 If overwork depletes us, forcing us to abandon our personal lives, then, Jude seems to suggest, our last defense might be to build brand-new selves, ones that are too outrageous and furious to be denied. Beatrice Loayza, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Economists say accounts aren't worth it While the Great Recession was the main factor depleting the wealth of late boomers, researchers found, that wasn’t the only one. Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024 Based off the most current cash-flow projections, the Company forecasts that its cash reserves will be fully depleted in the first week of March 2024 and that the Company will require additional funding to be able to continue operations beyond such date. Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deplete.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin dēplētus, past participle of dēplēre "to drain, draw off, empty out," from dē- de- + plērē "to fill" — more at full entry 1

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deplete was in 1807

Dictionary Entries Near deplete

Cite this Entry

“Deplete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deplete. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deplete

verb
de·​plete di-ˈplēt How to pronounce deplete (audio)
depleted; depleting
: to reduce in amount by using up : exhaust especially of strength or resources
soil depleted of minerals
a depleted treasury
depletion noun

Medical Definition

deplete

transitive verb
de·​plete di-ˈplēt How to pronounce deplete (audio)
depleted; depleting
: to empty (as the blood vessels) of a principal substance
a body depleted by excessive blood loss
tissues depleted of vitamins

More from Merriam-Webster on deplete

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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