deplete
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to use up (supplies, money, energy, etc); reduce or exhaust
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to empty entirely or partially
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med to empty or reduce the fluid contents of (an organ or vessel)
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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depletionnoun
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nondepletionnoun
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predepletionnoun
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predepleteverb (used with object)
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depletableadjective
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depletiveadjective
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depletoryadjective
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nondepletableadjective
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nondepletiveadjective
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nondepletoryadjective
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undepletedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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depletesimple
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depletessimple
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have depletedperfect
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has depletedperfect
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am depletingprogressive
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are depletingprogressive
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is depletingprogressive
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have been depletingperfect progressive
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has been depletingperfect progressive
Past
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depletedsimple
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had depletedperfect
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was depletingprogressive
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were depletingprogressive
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had been depletingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of deplete
1800–10; < Latin dēplētus empty (past participle of dēplēre to empty out), equivalent to dē- de- + plē ( re ) to fill + -tus past participle suffix
Explanation
To deplete is to use up or consume a limited resource. Visiting relatives might deplete your refrigerator of food, or a pestering friend might deplete your patience. The verb deplete is used like “to drain.” A long, exhausting day can deplete your body of energy and a summer drought can deplete a region’s water supply. If you deplete your body of hydration after a lot of exercise, be sure to replete yourself with a nice glass of water.
Vocabulary lists containing deplete
100 SAT Words Beginning with "D"
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Essential English Vocabulary, List 3
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Gene Wilder (1933-2016) Tribute List
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If your biggest fear now is that something bad could still happen to deplete your funds before you die, maybe it is time to conquer that one too, because the math is on your side.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 8, 2026
Gas station owners will be slow to lower prices until they deplete the inventory they purchased at higher prices.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 15, 2026
High costs of advanced AI models like Fable 5 can quickly deplete developer budgets, driving demand for efficient infrastructure.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
If it gets into rivers it can be very damaging - causing algal blooms which block sunlight and deplete the water of oxygen, affecting wildlife.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
The balance is delicate and government veterinarians have found that repeated small doses can gradually deplete an animal’s supply of the protective enzyme cholinesterase, so that without warning a minute additional dose will cause poisoning.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
