The word "depopulate" refers to a process of reducing the population of a particular area. Antonyms, on the other hand, refer to words that have opposite meanings to a given word. Some antonyms for "depopulate" include "populate," "settle," "increase," "colonize," and "thrive." These words suggest a process of augmenting the population of an area, and creating a thriving community. In contrast to "depopulate," these antonyms signal developments such as urbanization, immigration, or population growth, and imply a positive outlook towards the future. It is important to note that these antonyms carry different connotations and meanings, and can be used in various contexts depending on the intended message.