Deplete: Definition, Usage & Sentence Examples

Meaning 1：use up (deplete)

deplete 🔊

/dɪˈpliːt/

vt.

To use something so much that there's very little left, like using up your phone battery.

Deplete illustrated by a phone battery at 0%, showing resources used up

use up 🔊

➕

/juːz ʌp/

vt.

To significantly reduce the quantity, content, or power of something by using a large portion of it.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'de-' (away from, completely) + 'plere' (to fill), meaning 'to empty'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'de-PLETE' sounds like 'deeply complete'. To deplete is to deeply complete the use of something, leaving it empty.

📖 Example

Overfishing has depleted the stock of cod in this area, making it hard for local fishermen to make a living. 🔊 Overfishing has used up the cod population in this region, creating difficulties for the livelihood of local fishermen.

🔗 Collocations

deplete resources – to use up available supplies or assets

depleted uranium – uranium with a reduced content of the fissile isotope U-235, used in armor-piercing ammunition

deplete energy – to exhaust one's physical or mental vigor

🔄 Synonyms

exhaust (vt.) – to use up completely, often implying total consumption

consume (vt.) – to use up a resource, material, or time

drain (vt.) – to cause something to flow out or be used up gradually

🚫 Antonyms

replenish (vt.) – to fill something up again after it has been depleted

restore (vt.) – to bring back to a former or normal condition, including quantity

refill (vt.) – to fill again

🌱 Derivatives

depletion (n.) – the act or process of depleting; the state of being depleted

depleted (adj.) – having been used up; greatly reduced in amount or strength

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'deplete' stems from Latin 'depletus', the past participle of 'deplere' (to empty). It originally described emptying a vessel. In modern contexts, it's frequently used in environmental and resource discussions, highlighting concerns like 'depleted ozone layer' or 'depleted fish stocks'.