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

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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

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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 According to the 2026 trustees’ report, those reserves will be depleted in 2033. — David McMillin,dan Avery, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026 Shipley is the latest Eagles player to suffer an injury in a season that's depleted the roster, especially the running back room. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026 The Social Security Trustees project that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, which pays retirement and survivor benefits, will deplete its reserves in the fourth quarter of 2032 under current law. — Ray R. Harris, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 Current and former officials say that has left the division shorthanded—depleted of talent, expertise and basic manpower. — Ryan Lucas, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deplete

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deplete

Verb

Be sure to drain the olives, mushrooms, and use a thick pizza sauce to avoid a watery dip.

— Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 Oct. 2026
Eating triggers saliva production, but a stone can keep the saliva from draining, causing the gland to swell.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of drain

Verb

Sullivan touted his Bycatch Reduction Act, a bill intended to reduce excess fish caught by large commercial trawlers.

— Matthew Choi The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Energy-absorbing seats are designed to manage forces transmitted to occupants during an impact, potentially reducing injury risks.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Contemplation of this tax — which produced $384 million in the last fiscal year — has consumed endless hours of work from some of the county’s most respected leaders, and drawn earnest public testimony from dozens of people.

— Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026
So much about our elections is being decided now by people who are actively trying not to consume political news.

— Jacob Brogan, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of consume

Verb

The definitive study of feedback, Avraham Kluger and Angelo DeNisi’s meta-analysis of 23,663 observations, found that over a third of feedback interventions decreased performance.

— Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
These include gravitational forces, commonly known as G-forces, that increase or decrease the pressure riders feel on their bodies during rapid acceleration and deceleration.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

The frontman said he was humbled by the action and was touched to spend time with members of the Minneapolis community who worked on the front lines during the ICE surge.

— Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
OpenAI, for example, expects to spend more than $25 billion on training alone this year.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of spend

Verb

So, get ready for mountain vistas and exhausting cycling days to take your breath away and questions about your life choices to swirl around in your head!

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
That pretty much exhausts the points of agreement between the pro- and anti-Proposition 40 camps.

— Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of exhaust

Verb

Neurons are closer to Formula One race cars than to family sedans, burning fuel at a furious rate and threatening to blow up at any moment.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Wall Street analysts are trying to discern whether Big Tech will continue to burn cash or not.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of deplete

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