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 Based off the most current cash-flow projections, the Company forecasts that its cash reserves will be fully depleted in the first week of March 2024 and that the Company will require additional funding to be able to continue operations beyond such date. Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024 Wetland destruction and unsustainable fishing practices are likely depleting its main source of prey, according to the World Wildlife Fund. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 20 Feb. 2024 Ukraine recently rotated out soldiers from the 110th Brigade, which had played a vital role in the defense of the city for two years but were exhausted and severely depleted after months of brutal combat. Marc Santora, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 Losing an Assault Breacher depletes the 47th Brigade’s engineer battalion just months after the battalion rebuilt its under-armor mine-clearing capability following the loss of half of its Leopard 2Rs. David Axe, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Some say conscription is a desperate effort by the military to boost ranks depleted by death, desertions and defections. Helen Regan, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 As her savings was depleted, the pair moved in with a relative for a few months, and at one point experienced homelessness. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Feb. 2024 The Mexican immigration enforcement agency’s annual budget was depleted by the end of last year, leaving fewer highway checkpoints and rail yard patrols. Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry was severe—hotels, restaurants and hospitality venues closed, people that relied on tourism for their livelihoods suddenly faced huge losses, and money that the government relied on for development and maintenance was depleted. Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2024

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 18 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!