deplete
Translation
to use up, to exhaust, to reduce
Examples
Overfishing is depleting fish stocks in the ocean.
Overfishing is depleting fish stocks in the ocean.
The illness depleted his strength.
The illness depleted his strength.
Grammar Patterns
to deplete ((sth.)) to use up or reduce (sth.) The war depleted the country's resources.
Similar Words
Synonyms: exhaust, use up, consume; Antonyms: replenish, increase
Etymology
From Latin 'de-' (not, un-) + 'plere' (to fill). The original sense is 'to un-fill' or empty.
Memory Tips
Imagine hitting 'delete' on your resources; to 'deplete' is to reduce them until they are gone.