impoverish

Synonym Chooser

How is the word impoverish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of impoverish are bankrupt, deplete, drain, and exhaust. While all these words mean "to deprive of something essential to existence or potency," impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness.

impoverished soil

When would bankrupt be a good substitute for impoverish?

In some situations, the words bankrupt and impoverish are roughly equivalent. However, bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse.

war had bankrupted the nation of resources

When might deplete be a better fit than impoverish?

The meanings of deplete and impoverish largely overlap; however, deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function.

depleting our natural resources

When can drain be used instead of impoverish?

While in some cases nearly identical to impoverish, drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.

personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

In what contexts can exhaust take the place of impoverish?

The words exhaust and impoverish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exhaust stresses a complete emptying.

her lecture exhausted the subject

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of impoverish With a not insubstantial piece of Mexico’s economy reliant on production stateside, a cessation of those inflows will logically impoverish a big number of those formerly sustained directly by remittances. John Tamny, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025 Their families have also been impoverished by a regime whose leaders have been sanctioned by the U.S. and others for narco-terrorism, corruption, and drug smuggling. Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2024 Though impoverished by war, the country has also developed an impressive defense-tech sector. Niall Ferguson, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024 This marginalization impoverishes global scholarship, narrowing the diversity of perspectives needed to tackle complex challenges for businesses who sometimes have the best intentions. Hec Paris Insights, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for impoverish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impoverish
Verb
  • This means ensuring your organization can maintain its mission over time without depleting resources or burning out your people.
    Michel Koopman, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Williams figures to inherit a roster depleted by lack of eligibility, early entry into the NBA and the transfer portal.
    Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Institutions of higher learning, schools, churches, museums ruined.
    Askold Haywas, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Peppermint tea is one easy way to consume peppermint.
    Julie Marks Published, Verywell Health, 28 Mar. 2025
  • In the hospitality sector, large hotels consume significantly more energy due to extensive facilities like multiple restaurants, conference centers, and recreational areas, which drive higher energy usage and waste production.
    Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Unable to hold a full-time teaching job, Keith’s gambling addiction has nearly bankrupted the couple a few times.
    Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
  • The price: Definitely amongst the cheapest places to eat and drink at on this list, Terracotta won’t bankrupt you, promise.
    Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • With tennis becoming longer and more physical, best-of-five matches wreck players’ bodies, leaving them exhausted by the end of the tournament.
    Gavriella Epstein-Lightman, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Do my team members feel energized or exhausted by our culture?
    Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Standardization can also reduce due diligence burdens.
    The Sorenson Impact Institute, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Higher temperatures may also reduce the sugar content of maple sap, meaning producers will need to collect and boil more sap to produce the same quantities of syrup.
    Nina Foster, JSTOR Daily, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The United States government spends $1.2 billion annually on maternity care, and American families pay more to give birth than any other nation.
    Carson Meyer, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
  • However, the average business spends 14 hours a week on administrative tasks like these, which is nearly three hours a day that could be spent on other important work.
    Juliana Berger, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • By such maxims as these, however, nations have been taught that their interest consisted in beggaring all their neighbours.
    Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The fact that not a single senior party official numbered among her copious conspirators beggars credulity.
    Charlie Campbell, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Impoverish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impoverish. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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