depopulate

verb

de·​pop·​u·​late (ˌ)dē-ˈpä-pyə-ˌlāt How to pronounce depopulate (audio)
depopulated; depopulating; depopulates
Synonyms of depopulatenext

transitive verb

1
obsolete : ravage
2
: to reduce greatly the population of
depopulation
(ˌ)dē-ˌpä-pyə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce depopulate (audio)
noun

Examples of depopulate in a Sentence

Large areas of the country had been depopulated by disease.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Israeli troops have occupied and depopulated two-thirds of the enclave, leaving nearly all its more than 2 million residents confined to a tiny ​strip of land under Hamas control along the coast, most in makeshift tents or damaged buildings. — Steven Scheer, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2026 The areas Israel controls in Gaza have been mostly destroyed and depopulated. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 Israel currently controls around 60% of Gaza, areas that have been mostly destroyed and depopulated. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026 Towns were depopulated or abandoned altogether; farmland was left fallow; forests regrew; busy thoroughfares fell silent and grand villas derelict. — Literary Hub, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for depopulate

Word History

Etymology

Latin depopulatus, past participle of depopulari, from de- + populari to ravage

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of depopulate was in 1548

Rhymes for depopulate

See All Rhymes for depopulate

Browse Nearby Words

depopularize
depopulate
depopulation
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Depopulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/depopulate. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

depopulate

verb
de·​pop·​u·​late (ˈ)dē-ˈpäp-yə-ˌlāt How to pronounce depopulate (audio)
: to reduce greatly the population of (as a city or region) by destroying or driving away the inhabitants
depopulated by plague
depopulation
(ˌ)dē-ˌpäp-yə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce depopulate (audio)
noun

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