deplete

American  

[dih-pleet] / dɪˈplit /

verb (used with object)

depleted, depleting

1. to decrease seriously or exhaust the abundance or supply of.

   The fire had depleted the game in the forest. Extravagant spending soon depleted his funds.

   Synonyms:

   lessen, consume, reduce, drain

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deplete British  

/ dɪˈpliːt /

verb

1. to use up (supplies, money, energy, etc); reduce or exhaust

2. to empty entirely or partially

3. med to empty or reduce the fluid contents of (an organ or vessel)

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Other Word Forms

• depletable adjective
• depletion noun
• depletive adjective
• depletory adjective
• nondepletable adjective
• nondepletion noun
• nondepletive adjective
• nondepletory adjective
• predeplete verb (used with object)
• predepletion noun
• undepleted adjective

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

Example Sentences

A balance-of-payments crisis could happen when sustained demand for a particular currency depleted the U.S. government’s official reserve holdings, thereby threatening the stability of the peg.

From The Wall Street Journal

Pipeline flows from Norway—Europe’s single largest supplier—have also been strong, calming fears over rapidly depleting inventories.

From The Wall Street Journal

A survey by the nonprofit Department of Angels released in January showed 70% of fire survivors remained unable to return home and nearly half had depleted their savings.

From Los Angeles Times

If they are also trying to restock depleted savings, that diminishes consumption further.

From Barron's

With its dynamic freshman depleted from flu and another starter, Chad Baker-Mazara, still out due to injury, USC struggled to find a consistent source of offense.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bankrupt
• decrease
• diminish
• drain
• empty
• expend
• impoverish
• lessen
• reduce
• sap
• squander
• undermine
• use up
• weaken