v.
Pronunciation: di- ' pl ē t
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: de · plet · ed ; de · plet · ing
Etymology: Latin depletus, past participle of depl ē re, from de- + pl ē re to fill ― more at FULL
Date: 1807
1 : to empty of a principal substance
2 : to lessen markedly in quantity, content, power, or value
– de · plet · able \ - ' pl ē -t ə -b ə l \ adjective
– de · plet · er \ - ' pl ē -t ə r \ noun
– de · ple · tion \ - ' pl ē -sh ə n \ noun
– de · ple · tive \ - ' pl ē -tiv \ adjective
synonyms 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>.