depletion

noun

as in decrease
the amount by which something is lessened the kind of catastrophic illness that can make a sizable depletion in a family's savings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 depletion But sulfur dioxide can have negative impacts, including contributing to acid rain and ozone layer depletion. — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2026 The probe itself was prompted by earlier media reports covering the rapid depletion of some of the country's most advanced munitions several weeks into the Iran war, stirring widespread concerns about its readiness for any potential conflict ahead. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026 Over the years, the beach has been battered by violent storms and high tides, leading to significant sand depletion. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Venezuela’s depletion rate has been falling rapidly since 2007. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 The area is also home to large-scale industrial agriculture, with the resulting effluents triggering oxygen depletion and massive fish death annually. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026 In early April 2023, a report in The New York Times indicated that Ukraine’s S-300s and Buk systems, which then made up 89 percent of Ukraine’s air defense against Russian warplanes and bombers, were within a month of depletion. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 The White House called off attacks against Iran due to concerns about troop defense given the depletion of interceptor stocks, the New York Times and Wall Street Journal reported. — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug. 2026 The depletion has also impacted Lake Powell’s substantial tourism industry, forcing marinas in the reservoir to adapt. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for depletion
  1. decrease
  2. reduction
  3. decline
  4. drop
  5. dent
Noun
  • The results are splendid when the duo is dealing, but when the line comes off the ice, the quality of play decreases.
    — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Twenty years later, Kopple embedded herself in Austin, Minnesota and covered the strike against the Hormel meatpacking plant enacted by 1,500 unionized workers, who had recently shouldered a significant wage decrease and benefit cut.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of decrease
Noun
  • Budget static-cling options will not hit those numbers, but even a modest reduction helps when your AC is already working overtime.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Parts and designs were standardized for the Phase II plants, which are 50 MW and on track for a more than 30% reduction in construction time.
    — Pippa Stevens, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of reduction
Noun
  • However, those rankings benefited from other countries' declines.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Earnings per share are expected to decline by a low-teens percentage, compared with consensus expectations for an 8% decline.
    — Jeff Marks,Zev Fima, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of decline
Noun
  • For the richest of the rich, this translates into staggering and rapid gains and losses in paper wealth, such as an $18 billion one-day drop for Elon Musk and $50 billion week-long plunge for Larry Ellison, according to Forbes.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities also found a small drop of blood on the passenger seat.
    — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of drop
Noun
  • The iconic desert cruiser turns out to be just a chunk of rubber and metal with believable scratches and dents.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The departures of Ethan Hurkett (8 sacks), Max Llewellyn (6 1/2) and Aaron Graves (5) put a big dent in the pass rush.
    — John Bohnenkamp, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of dent

Browse Nearby Words

depleting
depletion
depletions
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Cite this Entry

“Depletion.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/depletion. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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