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

as in to drain

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 In 2025, there was a $100 million investment made toward state childcare subsidies and services with the goal of reaching more families, but inflation depleted those funds. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026 The official explanation is drought that has depleted the island’s reservoirs. — Ivis García, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 Before the game, Quatraro expressed excitement about what Duran could bring to a bullpen that has been depleted by injuries and struggled to close out games all season. — Latif Love, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 All of which suggests that trustees and administrators must confront the reality of their future well before extraordinary life-support measures deplete financial capacity and limit choices. — Laura MacDonald, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deplete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplete

Verb

In your audit, emergency reserves are separated from non-retirement assets because they should not ever be drained unless there is an emergency.

— Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Then, crews from the Urban Search and Rescue team worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to drain the tank and help save the remaining bears from drowning, officials said.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
For instance, a creditor might bid $35,000 for a $50,000 SUV, reducing the judgment by that amount, then sell it for $50,000, pocketing $15,000.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Participants are each given half a watermelon to eat in a specified time period, and they must be consumed down to the rind.

— Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026
That figure assumes the vehicle consumes 100 watt-hours per mile and its solar panels deliver at least four kWh of usable energy to the battery during the day.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of consume

Verb

Travel data shows the average group size for trips has decreased since COVID-19 began.

— Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
To continue decreasing the vacancy rate, Center City Partners has focused on older buildings that aren’t as appealing to a return-to-office workforce That focus is on renovations or conversions.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

Robert spent the prior six years with Chicago, hitting 38 home runs and stealing 20 bases in 2023, his best season and lone All-Star appearance.

— Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
While higher earners had been spending more using credit cards, the institute said the gap across income classes began narrowing in May of this year.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of spend

Verb

Your eyes will thank you College students often fall asleep without removing their contacts, especially when exhausted from late-night studying or over-intoxicated from partying.

— Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026
Qualifying members who exhaust their income protection will now be covered up until May 1, 2028, Gee said.

— Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of exhaust

Verb

Heating rice briefly in butter or oil before adding water or broth helps develop a subtle nutty flavor, while also improving how the grains cook and absorb liquid.

— Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026
Consider how much your payment could increase and whether your budget could comfortably absorb the difference.

— Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of absorb

Verb

State Assembly Member John Harabedian, who represents Altadena, where the Eaton Fire killed 19 people and burned about 9,400 homes and structures, authored one of the bills passed this week.

— Evan Bush, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026
The Soviet Union was an archetypal fragile superpower, its red star burning bright before its dramatic final implosion.

— Ben Bland, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of burn

Browse Nearby Words

deplaning

deplete

depleted

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“Deplete.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deplete. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of deplete

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