deplete

verb

de·​plete di-ˈplēt 

depleted; depleting; depletes

transitive verb

1

: to empty of a principal substance

The lake was depleted of water.

depleting the country of its natural resources

2

: to lessen markedly in quantity, content, power, or value

deplete our life savings

their depleted resources

depletable

di-ˈplē-tə-bəl 

adjective

depleter

di-ˈplē-tər 

noun

depletion

di-ˈplē-shən 

noun

depletive

di-ˈplē-tiv 

adjective

Did you know?

The de- prefix often means "do the opposite of", so deplete means the opposite of "fill". Thus, for example, a kitchen's food supplies can be rapidly depleted by hungry teenagers. But deplete often suggests something more serious. Desertions can deplete an army; layoffs can deplete an office staff; and too much time in bed can rapidly deplete your muscular strength.

Synonyms

• absorb
• burn
• consume
• devour
• drain
• draw down
• exhaust
• expend
• play out
• spend
• use up

Choose the Right Synonym for deplete

deplete, drain, exhaust, impoverish, bankrupt mean to deprive of something essential to existence or potency.

deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function.

depleting our natural resources

drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.

personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

exhaust stresses a complete emptying.

her lecture exhausted the subject

impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness.

impoverished soil

bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse.

war had bankrupted the nation of resources

Examples of deplete in a Sentence

Activities such as logging and mining deplete our natural resources.

We completely depleted our life savings when we bought our new house.

Recent Examples on the Web

Industrial farming techniques often prioritize short-term yields over long-term sustainability, depleting nutrients and organic matter essential for healthy soils. —Narcisa Pricope, The Conversation, 10 Feb. 2025

In January 2024 Julian Gressel left for Inter Miami in free agency, depleting the squad of a versatile and creative veteran. —Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 8 Feb. 2025

The decision ws projected to result in mines depleting their federal coal reserves as early as 2035 — decades earlier than if leasing continued. —Matthew Brown, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025

The Great Famine that ensued, lasting from 1845 to 1852, marked a major crisis in Irish history that depleted the population due to death and emigration; around one million people died during this period, and closer to two million left the country. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin dēplētus, past participle of dēplēre "to drain, draw off, empty out," from dē- de- + plērē "to fill" — more at full entry 1

First Known Use

1807, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

deplete

verb

de·​plete di-ˈplēt 

depleted; depleting

: to reduce in amount by using up : exhaust especially of strength or resources

soil depleted of minerals

a depleted treasury

depletion

-ˈplē-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

deplete

transitive verb

de·​plete di-ˈplēt 

depleted; depleting

: to empty (as the blood vessels) of a principal substance

a body depleted by excessive blood loss

tissues depleted of vitamins