See deplete in American Heritage Dictionary 4 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.
See deplete in Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus II
verb
To lessen or weaken severely, as by removing something essential:
drain, exhaust, impoverish, sap2, use up. See give, increase, richTo make or become no longer active or productive:
desiccate, dry up, give out, play out, run out. See continue
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