deplete

[dih-pleet]

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

deplete

/ 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)

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of deplete¹

1800–10; < Latin dēplētus empty (past participle of dēplēre to empty out), equivalent to dē- de- + plē ( re ) to fill + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of deplete¹

C19: from Latin dēplēre to empty out, from _de- + plēre to fill

Example Sentences

It is still very early, but Frank has made a brilliant start in turning around a squad that had been depleted in confidence, and I feel like there is lots more to come.

Read more on BBC

Rogers said she has seen her bank account depleted recently following a shoulder surgery and her daughter’s funeral.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They could be forced to sell depleted stocks to fund their spending.

Read more on Barron's

Today the press corps is so depleted, and so lacking in backbone, that no one has sprung forward to defend Date’s right to ask a legitimate question.

Read more on Salon

It works by depleting B cells, which are thought to drive the autoimmune attack in MS.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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