deplete
gb/dɪplˈit/ us/dɪplˈit/
B2
English
~ 8000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
formal
B2
action
1
use up or greatly reduce
To use so much of something that there is very little left.
Usage pattern:
to deplete [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "deplete" with "delete" because they look similar. "Deplete" means to use something up so little remains, while "delete" means to remove text, files, or data. Another mistake is using it without an object, e.g. "The lake depleted"; it is usually used with an object, as in "The heat depleted the lake."
Synonyms
use up (More common and informal; straightforward description of finishing a supply.)
|
drain (Suggests slow or complete removal, often of energy, money, or strength.)
|
exhaust (Often stronger, implying complete or near-complete use so that nothing is left.)
Antonyms
replenish (Means to fill something up again after it has been depleted.)
|
conserve (Means to protect and avoid using something so that it is not depleted.)
Collocations
deplete resources
|deplete the ozone layer
|deplete savings
|deplete energy
|deplete reserves
|seriously deplete
Themes
environment
|economy
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Years of overfishing have severely depleted the local fish stocks.
- The long drought has depleted the region’s water supplies.
- Constant stress and overtime work quickly depleted his energy.
- The war effort depleted the country’s financial reserves.
- Intensive farming can deplete the soil of essential nutrients.
Learner examples
- The long trip depleted our fuel.
- Running the air conditioner all day depleted the battery.
- Many factories deplete natural resources.
- Her illness depleted her strength.
- Buying the new car depleted his savings.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deplete
IPA
GB/dɪplˈit/
US/dɪplˈit/
Syllables & stress
de - plete (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (plete)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: deplete
- 3rd Person Singular: depletes
- Present Participle: depleting
- Past: depleted
Word family
Forms
depletes
verb
depleting
verb
depleted
verb
Core family
depletion
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
replenish
verb
replenishment
noun
Advanced or less common
depletable
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.