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Showing results for depopulate. Search instead for worldwide populace.
Synonyms

depopulate

American  
[dee-pop-yuh-leyt, dee-pop-yuh-lit, -leyt] / diˈpɒp yəˌleɪt, diˈpɒp yə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

depopulated, depopulating
  1. to remove or reduce the population of, as by destruction or expulsion.


adjective

  1. Archaic. depopulated.

depopulate British  
/ dɪˈpɒpjʊˌleɪt /

verb

  1. to be or cause to be reduced in population

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of depopulate

1525–35; < Latin dēpopulātus devastated (past participle of dēpopulārī ), equivalent to dē- de- + populātus; see populate

Vocabulary lists containing depopulate

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.

Mr Gates has long been the subject of multiple conspiracy theories - the most extreme of which claim that he is part of an effort to depopulate the world.

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2024

In general, Canada — like Ireland, where the fertility rate is about 1.77, higher than in Canada but still below replacement — faces a choice: Either take in migrants or depopulate.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 7, 2024

“The department’s inability to meet the minimal obligations to the young people in its care is a painfully clear demonstration of the need to urgently depopulate the halls,” the motion says.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2023

The scale of a fishing operation can also make a big difference: overly intensive methods of catching fish can depopulate entire schools at once and cause serious imbalances in marine ecosystems.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2022

A mass exodus from North Korea could substantially depopulate the country, undermine its already inadequate capacity to grow food, and weaken—or perhaps even topple—the gov-ernment.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden

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