deplete

verb

de·​plete di-ˈplēt 

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

di-ˈplē-tə-bəl 

adjective

depleter

di-ˈplē-tər 

noun

depletion

di-ˈplē-shən 

noun

depletive

di-ˈplē-tiv 

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.

Synonyms

• drain
• consume
• spend
• exhaust
• reduce
• absorb
• burn

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

Consequently, holiday results which are typically totaled based on November and December selling, or the fourth quarter which runs from November through January, will be depleted. —David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025

The franchise is coming off its first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years and is one of the two frontrunners in a conference depleted by injuries to star players on rival teams. —James L. Edwards Iii, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

Ensuring soil is covered with a thick layer of mulch before winter helps to reduce erosion and drying winds that deplete soil nutrients by removing the fertile topsoil. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025

Sophi and Jeremiah can barely speak or remember Jeff’s questions, putting into perspective for us viewers how depleted this tribe is after just five days and a gajillion losses. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 1 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for deplete

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete

Kids Definition

deplete

verb

de·​plete di-ˈplēt 

depleted; depleting

: to reduce in amount by using up : exhaust especially of strength or resources

soil depleted of minerals

a depleted treasury

depletion

-ˈplē-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

deplete

transitive verb

de·​plete di-ˈplēt 

depleted; depleting

: to empty (as the blood vessels) of a principal substance

a body depleted by excessive blood loss

tissues depleted of vitamins