Depletion — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /di-ˈplēt/ de·plete

Meaning & Definition of Depletion

Depletion (verb)

  1. to empty of a principal substance
  2. to lessen markedly in quantity, content, power, or value

Depletion (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the amount by which something is lessened

    "the kind of catastrophic illness that can make a sizable depletion in a family's savings"

    similar: abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depression, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, reduction, shrinkage, step-down
    related: deduction, subtraction, downturn, slip, slump, curtailment, cut, cutback, retrenchment, shortening
    opposite: boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick
    near: accretion, accrual, accumulation, addition, supplement, continuation, extension, upswing, uptrend, upturn

Related Entry: Deplete (verb)

Deplete is a different word from Depletion. The synonyms below are for deplete, not for depletion.

  1. to make complete use of

    "miners depleted the vein of copper ore after only a few months"

    similar: absorb, burn, consume, devour, drain, draw down, exhaust, expend, play out, spend, use up, run out of
    related: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, reduce, eat, use, bankrupt, clean (out), impoverish, cripple, debilitate, disable, enfeeble, sap, undermine, weaken, dry up, empty, blow, dissipate, fritter (away), guzzle, lavish, misspend, run through, squander, throw away, waste
    opposite: renew, replace
    near: augment, enlarge, increase, bolster, enforce, fortify, reinforce, strengthen, rebuild, repair, restore, revive, conserve, preserve, save

  2. to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent

    "disease and battlefield casualties had depleted troop strength to dangerously low levels"

    similar: abate, de-escalate, decrease, dent, diminish, downscale, downsize, drop, dwindle, ease, knock down, lessen, lower, reduce
    related: compress, condense, constrict, contract, abbreviate, abridge, clip, crop, curtail, cut, cut back, cut down, dock, nick, pare, prune, retrench, shorten, slash, trim, truncate, whittle, deflate, shrink, minimize, moderate, modify, modulate, qualify
    opposite: aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, enlarge, escalate, expand, increase, raise
    near: blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, swell, elongate, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract, add (to), complement, supplement, enhance, heighten, intensify, redouble

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Depletion

The most common words with a similar meaning to Depletion:

abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depression, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, reduction, shrinkage, step-down

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Depletion

Words with the opposite meaning of Depletion:

boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick

Related Words for Depletion

deduction, subtraction, downturn, slip, slump, curtailment, cut, cutback, retrenchment, shortening

Near Antonyms of Depletion

accretion, accrual, accumulation, addition, supplement, continuation, extension, upswing, uptrend, upturn

Word Forms of Depletion

Inflections: depleted, depleting, depletes

Derived words: depletable (adjective), depleter (noun), depletion (noun), depletive (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Depletion

borrowed from Latin dēplētus, past participle of dēplēre "to drain, draw off, empty out," from dē- de- + plērē "to fill" full:1

First known use: 1807

Frequently Asked Questions about Depletion

What does "Depletion" mean?

"Depletion" means to empty of a principal substance. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to empty of a principal substance.

What is another word for "Depletion"?

Other words for "Depletion" include abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depression, diminishment and diminution. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Depletion" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Depletion"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Depletion". Common alternatives include abatement, decline, decrease, decrement, dent, depression, diminishment, diminution, drop and drop-off.

What is the opposite of "Depletion"?

Antonyms of "Depletion" include boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise and step-up. Near antonyms include accretion, accrual, accumulation and addition.

How do you use "Depletion" in a sentence?

Examples of "Depletion" in a sentence: "the kind of catastrophic illness that can make a sizable depletion in a family's savings".

Is "Depletion" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Depletion" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Depletion"?

"Depletion" is pronounced /di-ˈplēt/ and divided into syllables as de·plete.

What is the origin of the word "Depletion"?

"Depletion" comes from borrowed from Latin dēplētus, past participle of dēplēre "to drain, draw off, empty out," from dē- de- + plērē "to fill" full:1. First known use: 1807.