DEPLETE Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'deplete' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of deplete are bankrupt , drain , exhaust , and impoverish . While all these words 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

Q: When is 'bankrupt' a more appropriate choice than 'deplete'?

Although the words bankrupt and deplete have much in common, bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse. // war had bankrupted the nation of resources

Q: When is it sensible to use 'drain' instead of 'deplete'?

The synonyms drain and deplete are sometimes interchangeable, but drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence. // personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

Q: When can 'exhaust' be used instead of 'deplete'?

In some situations, the words exhaust and deplete are roughly equivalent. However, exhaust stresses a complete emptying. // her lecture exhausted the subject

Q: In what contexts can 'impoverish' take the place of 'deplete'?

While in some cases nearly identical to deplete , impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness. // impoverished soil

deplete

verb

di-ˈplēt

Definition of deplete next

as in to drain

to make complete use of miners depleted the vein of copper ore after only a few months

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reduce

to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent disease and battlefield casualties had depleted troop strength to dangerously low levels

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word deplete distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of deplete are bankrupt, drain, exhaust, and impoverish. While all these words 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

When is bankrupt a more appropriate choice than deplete?

Although the words bankrupt and deplete have much in common, bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse.

war had bankrupted the nation of resources

When is it sensible to use drain instead of deplete?

The synonyms drain and deplete are sometimes interchangeable, but drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.

personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

When can exhaust be used instead of deplete?

In some situations, the words exhaust and deplete are roughly equivalent. However, exhaust stresses a complete emptying.

her lecture exhausted the subject

In what contexts can impoverish take the place of deplete?

While in some cases nearly identical to deplete, impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness.

impoverished soil

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of deplete Kennedy has accused big business, drug companies and federal agencies of depleting Americans' health with toxic chemicals and additives, and vowed to reduce the spread of disease. —

Alyssa Goldberg, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025 The groundwater act, passed in 2014, aims to ensure a more sustainable use of groundwater after years of over-pumping, which depleted basins and eroded water quality in some rural areas. —

Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 28 Jan. 2025 The people in your network can energize or deplete you. —

Joseph Liu, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 It is built to operate for about two Earth weeks, or one lunar day, before the sun sets and eventually depletes the lander's power source. —

Brett Tingley, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for deplete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplete

Verb

The swamp is not being drained; it’s being filled with more water than the Panama Canal.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
Patrick Reed drained a hole-in-one at the 'Watering Hole,' which sent fans into a frenzy.

— Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025