deplete

verb

de·plete | \ di-ˈplēt

depleted; depleting

Definition of deplete

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

Other Words from deplete Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about deplete

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Other Words from deplete

depletable \ di-ˈplē-tə-bəl

\ adjective

depleter \ di-ˈplē-tər

\ noun

depletion \ di-ˈplē-shən

\ noun

depletive \ di-ˈplē-tiv

\ adjective

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

In a letter to the president on Tuesday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, warned that the fund has now been depleted and is estimated to be running a $6 million deficit by Sept. 30. — The Washington Post, The Denver Post, "President Trump’s Fourth of July event and weekend protests bankrupted Washington security fund, mayor says," 10 July 2019 Miami’s linebacking corps was also depleted by injuries in the spring, with Bradley Jennings Jr. and Waynmon Steed both missing time. — Christy Cabrera Chirinos, sun-sentinel.com, "Linebacker Corey Flagg commits to Miami, helps Hurricanes address position of need," 18 June 2019 The ice extent has been especially depleted in the part of the Arctic Ocean adjacent to the Pacific Ocean. — Jason Samenow, Anchorage Daily News, "Arctic Ocean and Greenland ice sheet seeing record June ice loss," 14 June 2019 The Warriors were clearly depleted and in disarray. — Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, "Kevin Durant and Achilles, Two Heroes Who Had Decisions to Make," 11 June 2019 When we are pushed to the mental and emotional limit by others, our bodies get depleted as our auric field is consumed with energy that’s not our own. — Lisa Stardust, Teen Vogue, "How to Use Magic to Banish Energy Vampires," 28 May 2019 However, both teams were depleted with ECNL players out. — OrlandoSentinel.com, "Winter Park Showcase presents great opportunity," 7 Jan. 2018 Federal agencies involved in immigration have reported being overwhelmed, depleting their budgets and housing large numbers of detainees in structures meant for handfuls of people. — Andrew Taylor, BostonGlobe.com, "Senate passes $4.6 billion border aid bill," 26 June 2019 Federal agencies involved in immigration have reported being overwhelmed, depleting their budgets and housing large numbers of detainees in structures meant for handfuls of people. — Andrew Taylor, chicagotribune.com, "Partisan showdown looms over $4.5 billion border aid package; GOP Senate leader says it’s full of ‘poison pills’," 26 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deplete.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.