deplete

Synonym Chooser

How is the word deplete distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of deplete are bankrupt, drain, exhaust, and impoverish. While all these words 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

When is bankrupt a more appropriate choice than deplete?

Although the words bankrupt and deplete have much in common, bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse.

war had bankrupted the nation of resources

When is it sensible to use drain instead of deplete?

The synonyms drain and deplete are sometimes interchangeable, but drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.

personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

When can exhaust be used instead of deplete?

In some situations, the words exhaust and deplete are roughly equivalent. However, exhaust stresses a complete emptying.

her lecture exhausted the subject

In what contexts can impoverish take the place of deplete?

While in some cases nearly identical to deplete, impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness.

impoverished soil

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deplete At Tuesday’s meeting, the school board was informed that the surplus of federal funds that had been used to offer free lunch throughout the district for the past school year was finally depleted. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 14 May 2025 With federal pandemic aid now depleted, political pressure is mounting to find solutions to offset expected Trump administration cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal assistance. Andrew Fowler, Hartford Courant, 8 May 2025 But despite Israel depleting Hamas’s forces over 19 months of war, the militant group is still exercising its authority among the Palestinian population, battling and executing armed gangs looting humanitarian aid. Laura Kelly, The Hill, 6 May 2025 The sperm whale was also listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for deplete
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplete
Verb
  • These clocks will, unfortunately, drain your batteries a little quicker but probably not fast enough to really take notice.
    BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • They’re emotionally drained, exhausted by the mental gymnastics that have such a profound effect on their franchise’s direction.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • An estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the proposals would reduce the number of people with health care by at least 7.6 million from the Medicaid changes, and possibly more with other changes to the Affordable Care Act.
    Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
  • In Sacramento, California, the weather service warned its office would have reduced staffing overnight.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Arepas are corn pancakes that can be consumed on their own or with an array of garnishes and fixings.
    Cat Sposato, AFAR Media, 15 May 2025
  • The children who consumed the cookies were transported to Christ Hospital and have since been released, according to WFLD.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Iron Ore production decreased by 4.5% to 67.7 million metric tons due to heavy rainfall in Brazil.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Although the unsheltered population in the city of L.A. decreased last year from 32,680 to 29,275, and is projected to decline again this year, residents and business owners continue to express frustration with the city’s handling of the homelessness crisis.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Residents of the 8th Congressional District spend an average of 13% of their household income on energy — the highest in the state, according to Department of Commerce data.
    Tom Olsen, Twin Cities, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • To the elderly and those already exhausted by their efforts to get this far, this simply became an insurmountable barrier.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 9 May 2025
  • After exhausting the questions, Witt posed for a picture with the entire class.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • The experience felt a little like getting unexpectedly absorbed in a trashy episode of reality TV, but also like suddenly realizing that a conversation that started in the shallows of small talk has at some point drifted into the deep waters of meaning.
    Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
  • The government would absorb or benefit from any difference.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • The pair, who met as college undergrads, both burned with idealism and recognized their privilege could be leveraged for a game-changing idea.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 13 Sep. 2023
  • The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes circular fashion and says that, in the United States, an amount of clothing equal to a garbage truck is ferried to landfills or burned every second.
    Neeti Mehra, Treehugger, 13 Sep. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Deplete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deplete. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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