To decrease the fullness of; use up or empty out.
[Latin dēplēre, dēplēt-, to empty : dē-, de- + plēre, to fill.]
depletable de·plet'a·ble adj.SYNONYMS deplete, drain, exhaust, impoverish, enervate. These verbs all mean to weaken severely by removing something essential. Deplete refers to using up gradually and only hints at harmful consequences: The campers' food supply was quickly depleted. Drain suggests gradual drawing off and harm: War often drains a nation's economy. Exhaust stresses reduction to a point of uselessness: "The resources of civilization are not yet exhausted" (William Ewart Gladstone). Impoverish refers to severe reduction of resources or essential qualities: "His death has eclipsed the gaiety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure" (Samuel Johnson). Enervate refers to weakening or destruction of vitality or strength: Idleness enervates the will to succeed.





