depleted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "depleted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been reduced in quantity, strength, or effectiveness, often referring to resources or energy levels. Example: "After the long hike, I felt completely depleted and needed to rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last Monday at 6pm, Cruddas and most of the other remaining 231 Labour MPs (26 fewer than a week before) crammed into committee room 14 in the House of Commons to hear Harriet Harman, the acting leader, attempt to lift the depleted, demoralised parliamentary party off the floor.

The Guardian

Guts, sinew, spleen, backbone, heart: frankly, given their depleted physique it is a miracle England's players can even drag themselves off the team bus.

The Guardian - Sport

We do not have to look hard for examples of man's arrogance, ignorance or ineptitude, his evidence of destruction; the fossil fuels burned, the seas and lands depleted, the habitats and ecosystems disturbed.

The Guardian

Fast forward to Wednesday night and the Quakes-killer Mike Magee "assisted" in driving in the final nail (or goal) in the Chicago Fire's 3-2 win over a very depleted Quakes side.

The Guardian - Sport

And thank goodness somebody has turned up because it's not looking good up there – Mance was clearly telling the truth when he told Jon "we're here to hide behind your wall" while the Night Watch are severely depleted.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

BG It would have been nice if the unlikely League One table-toppers, Leyton Orient, were not so depleted as they head to Championship strugglers Yeovil Town, especially as Russell Slade would no doubt savour a win at a club where he achieved feats similar to the one he is enacting at Orient before being sacked amid acrimony in 2009.

The Guardian - Sport

She didn't just see Baghdad but found a way to Fallujah, and witnessed the disturbing sign of birth defects likely caused by US-fired depleted uranium.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the same press conference room where he had on Saturday faced down questions over Fifa's culture of corruption and his knowledge of a $10m bribe alleged by US prosecutors to have been routed to the former Concacaf president Jack Warner, Blatter cut a depleted figure.

The Guardian - Sport

Even those that remain from that team have been depleted by the experience.

The Guardian - Sport

The prospect of power shortages is likely to alarm ministers, who are concerned that an already depleted system could be exposed by a small number of temporary shutdowns at crucial plants.

The Guardian - Business

As we deplete our ability to denote and figure particular aspects of our places, so our competence for understanding and imagining possible relationships with non-human nature is correspondingly depleted.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts like morale or energy, use "depleted" to emphasize a significant reduction or exhaustion. For instance, "The team's morale was depleted after the series of losses."

Common error

Avoid using "depleted" in every situation where something is reduced. Choose more specific terms like "reduced", "diminished", or "exhausted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, instead of saying "The color was depleted", you might say "The color was faded."

Linguistic Context

The term "depleted" primarily functions as an adjective, describing a noun that has been significantly reduced or exhausted. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a state where something is used up, diminished, or lacking in essential qualities. This is evident in examples such as "depleted resources" or "depleted energy".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "depleted" is widely used to describe something that has been significantly reduced or exhausted. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It frequently appears in contexts like news and media, formal business communications, and scientific literature. While "depleted" is a versatile term, it's important to consider more specific alternatives like "exhausted" or "diminished" to convey precise nuances. Common usage involves describing "depleted resources", "depleted energy", or "depleted morale", emphasizing a state of reduction or exhaustion. Overall, "depleted" is a valuable term for expressing the diminished state of various resources and qualities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhausted

Refers to a state of being completely used up or drained.

drained

Implies a gradual loss of resources or energy.

consumed

Indicates complete utilization or using up of something.

exhausted resources

Specifically highlights the using up of resources.

spent

Suggests something has been used completely.

finished

Implies the termination of availability due to use.

used up

A straightforward way to describe something fully utilized.

run out

Indicates that the supply of something has been fully exhausted.

diminished

Implies a reduction in size, extent, or quantity.

reduced

Indicates that something has been made smaller or less.

FAQs

How can I use "depleted" in a sentence?

You can use "depleted" to describe something that has been significantly reduced or exhausted. For example, "The soil was depleted of nutrients" or "His energy was depleted after the marathon."

What are some alternatives to using "depleted"?

Alternatives to "depleted" include "exhausted", "drained", "consumed", or "diminished", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "depleted resources"?

Yes, "depleted resources" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe resources that have been significantly reduced or exhausted.

What's the difference between "depleted" and "exhausted"?

"Depleted" generally implies a reduction or using up of something, whereas "exhausted" often refers to a state of being completely drained of energy or resources. While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, "exhausted" often carries a stronger sense of being completely used up.