MEANING
To reduce the amount, supply, or strength of something by using it up or drawing it away.
Use it for
A supply or strength is reduced by use or loss.Show a resource, reserve, or character’s energy being steadily used up.
Words that belong together
- deplete supplies
- deplete reserves
- deplete someone’s strength
On the page
The long evacuation depleted the town’s emergency water stores.
Nearby words
Opposite meanings
Word forms
- Base
- deplete
- Past tense
- depleted
- Past participle
- depleted
- Present participle
- depleting
Full tense & aspect guide
- Present
- deplete
- Present continuous
- am/is/are depleting
- Present perfect
- have/has depleted
- Present perfect continuous
- have/has been depleting
- Past
- depleted
- Past continuous
- was/were depleting
- Past perfect
- had depleted
- Past perfect continuous
- had been depleting
- Future
- will deplete
- Future continuous
- will be depleting
- Future perfect
- will have depleted
- Future perfect continuous
- will have been depleting
Choose the auxiliary that agrees with your subject. These are constructions of one word, not separate entries.
Explore related collections
Usage notes
Usually transitive; it describes a quantity or reserve falling, not necessarily disappearing completely.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.