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

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.

Example Sentences

If constrained flows persist long enough to deplete buffers—potentially beyond about six weeks—manufacturers could face tighter allocations and higher procurement costs, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

However, recent warmer temperatures this winter and extreme wind events have beaten down the wildflowers and signaled that summer is approaching, which can deplete the bloom, according to Fraga.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2026

You’re right that your mother’s healthcare needs may deplete much of their savings.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

In trying to prevent the goal, Joe Gomez picked up an injury to further deplete Liverpool's already threadbare options at centre-back.

From Barron's • Jan. 24, 2026

Our bottles and skin are fairly full, but with two drinking and this hot sun it won't take long to deplete them.

From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

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