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Translation

Also found in: English - Vietnamese

depopulate

/di:'pɔpjuleit/
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Definition

The verb "depopulate" means to reduce the number of people in a certain area. This can happen due to various reasons, such as disasters, wars, or diseases.

Usage Instructions
  • Form: The word is used as a verb, which means it describes an action.
  • Tense Forms: You can use it in different tenses:
    • Present: depopulate
    • Past: depopulated
    • Future: will depopulate
    • Continuous: depopulating
Example
  • Simple Example: "The war caused many people to leave their homes, which depopulated the town."
  • More Context: "The epidemic depopulated the countryside, leaving many villages empty."
Advanced Usage

In more advanced contexts, you might see "depopulate" used in discussions about environmental issues, urban planning, or demographics. For instance: - "Urban sprawl can depopulate rural areas as people move to cities for better opportunities."

Word Variants

There are a few related words: - Depopulation (noun): The process of reducing the population. - Example: "The depopulation of the region was alarming." - Depopulated (adjective): Describing an area that has had its population reduced. - Example: "The depopulated area was once thriving."

Different Meanings

While "depopulate" specifically refers to reducing human population, in a broader sense, it can sometimes refer to reducing the number of animals in an area as well, though this is less common.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for "depopulate" include: - Reduce - Diminish - Decrease - Empty (when referring to making a place less populated)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that contain "depopulate," but you might encounter phrases like: - "Clear out" - meaning to remove people or things from a place, which can have a similar effect as depopulating.

Summary

In summary, "depopulate" is a verb that means to lessen the number of people in an area, often in a negative context like war or disease. You can use it in various tenses, and it has related forms like "depopulation" and "depopulated." Remember, while its primary focus is on humans, it can sometimes refer to animals as well.

Verb
  1. reduce in population
    • The epidemic depopulated the countryside

Synonyms

Words Containing "depopulate"

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