deplete

de·plete (dē plēt′, di-)

transitive verb -·plet′ed, -·plet′·ing

1. to make less by gradually using up (resources, funds, strength, etc.)
2. to use up gradually the resources, strength, etc. of
to empty wholly or partly

Etymology: < L depletus, pp. of deplere, to empty < de-, from + plere, to fill: see full

de·ple′tive adjective

To draw out in its entirety, or use up, money or a nonrenewable resource such as oil.

Object

uranium: Does the danger of depleted uranium also exist apart from the area of the south?
munitions: There are disturbing reports about the use of depleted uranium munitions, which might even affect the future generations.
leucocyte: No patient with TA-GVHD had received leucocyte depleted blood components.
ammunition: It was here that depleted uranium ammunition was used for the first time - more than 30 metric tons - 300,000 rounds in all.
glycogen: The protein for muscle growth, and the carbs to replenish the glycogen depleted from your workout.
squad: Swansea City boss Colin Addison has a hugely depleted squad.

Subject

injury: Either or both of these factors may have enabled people to fight all day without numbers being depleted by serious injuries.

Preposition: as

result: Before ozone began to be depleted as a result of human activities, the normal concentration above Antarctica in southern spring exceeded 300 DU.
part: Contains lactoperoxidase, lysozyme and lactoferrin enzymes that are often depleted as part of dry mouth syndrome.

Preposition: at

rate: During hard exercise, carbohydrate can be depleted at a rate of 3-4 grams per minute.

Adjective complement

due: Judging by records, the size of the Roman army was definitely depleted due to Albinus having taken them to the continent.

Modifying Another Word

severely: Fish stocks, already severely depleted around the UK, have also been affected by tests, according to the industry itself.
sadly: The Museum's stock of kitchen material has been sadly depleted in the last few months.
seriously: The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars.
rapidly: Fans were coming up in the break to rapidly deplete the pile.
somewhat: The Club started the year somewhat depleted in numbers.
badly: If the colony is badly depleted reduce the entrance to guard against robbing.

Used with why or when

when: There is a buffet carriage on board the Eurostar, however stocks can be quickly depleted when 500 hungry skiers arrive!

Preposition: in

number: The Preston fans were depleted in number from previous visits.

Preposition: by

injury: Either or both of these factors may have enabled people to fight all day without numbers being depleted by serious injuries.

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