Depleting: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when resources or supplies are gradually reducing in quantity. Often implies a serious reduction.

• The company's constant use of natural resources is depleting their availability
• The continued depleting of the forest is a major concern

Used when something is completely used up or worn out, often in a physical or emotional sense. Can also imply tiredness.

• They have exhausted all their options
• Running the marathon exhausted him both physically and mentally

Used when something is being used up completely. Often relates to food, energy, or resources.

• The car consumes a lot of fuel
• He tried not to consume too much sugar

Used when something is becoming smaller or less important over time. Not necessarily related to resources.

• His influence in the company has started to diminish
• The pain will diminish after a few days

This term is often used to describe resources or supplies that are being used up or reduced significantly over time. It’s common in environmental science or discussions about natural resources.

• Constant mining is depleting the region's natural reserves of minerals
• The company's depleting budget forced them to cut down on expenses

Often used when something is completely used up or when someone is extremely tired. It conveys a sense of total depletion.

• They exhausted all the possibilities in their search for a solution
• The hike in the mountains exhausted the whole group

Typically used to describe the process of slowly using up a resource, energy, or money. It conveys a sense of a slow but steady loss.

• The long meetings started to drain his enthusiasm
• The unexpected expenses drained their savings

Commonly used to describe the gradual weakening or depletion of someone's energy, strength, or resources. It often has a negative connotation.

• The constant stress at work sapped her energy
• Unpleasant weather can sap your motivation to go outside