Deplete
To use up the supply of something; to exhaust; to empty out.
verbDeplete
To use up the supply of something; to exhaust; to empty out.
verbImagine This
Imagine a car’s fuel tank on a long trip: every mile uses fuel, and as you drive farther the tank empties until you must refuel.
Sounds Like
dih-PLEET
Looks Like
Looks like 'complete' with a de- prefix; shares the -plete root
Remember This
The ozone layer is depleted by ozone-depleting substances (like CFCs). International agreements such as the Montreal Protocol aim to reduce depletion. Depletion is commonly discussed with natural resources, energy, and inventory.
Other Forms
Connect With
exhaust, drain, diminish, consume, depletion
Note
Deplete is transitive: you deplete something (you drain or exhaust its supply). Do not use 'deplete of'—use 'deplete X' or 'deplete X of Y' correctly. Remember the related noun 'depletion' and the opposite verbs 'replenish' or 'restore'.