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 Devine says demand may eventually edge higher, which could help to deplete excess cotton stock, and potentially set growers and manufacturers up for a better price situation moving forward. Catherine Salfino, Sourcing Journal, 10 Oct. 2024 Upper Basin states have argued that the compact does not require them to deliver water to the Lower Basin annually, but rather to avoid depleting the river past a certain point. Austin Corona, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024 Multiple Biden administration and congressional sources told CBS News there are concerns funding will be depleted by the end of this month. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2024 Advertisement The money from the last successful California school bond, which passed in 2016, has long since been spent, and the state’s school repair fund is expected to be depleted by January. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deplete 

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 14 Oct. 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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