impoverished

adjective

im·​pov·​er·​ished im-ˈpä-v(ə-)risht How to pronounce impoverished (audio)
1
: reduced to poverty : poor
an impoverished family/community
2
: exhausted of richness or fertility
impoverished soils
3
of a fauna or flora : represented by few species or individuals

Examples of impoverished in a Sentence

the widespread hope that the lottery's record-setting jackpot is won by an impoverished family an impoverished field that over the years had been overgrazed
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.
Unfortunately, in recent years, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has embraced and promoted an impoverished worldview regarding gender and sexuality. Enquirer Staff, The Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2024 On an international level, too..., one country’s climate response can easily leave another country impoverished, either through neglect, foolishness or outright malevolence. Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024 Haze's character Krelborn, an employee at an impoverished florist shop, finds himself at the center of a murderous enterprise when the strange plant he's been growing requires blood for nourishment. Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 An impoverished aviation industry would have little capital to invest in the new, fuel-efficient aircraft already in production. Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impoverished 

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of impoverished was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near impoverished

Cite this Entry

“Impoverished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impoverished. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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