Malthusian
adjective
Mal·thu·sian
mal-ˈthü-zhən
mȯl-,
-ˈthyü-
: of or relating to Malthus or to his theory that population tends to increase at a faster rate than its means of subsistence and that unless it is checked by moral restraint or disaster (such as disease, famine, or war) widespread poverty and degradation inevitably result
Malthusian worries are resurgent and people fear the consequences for an overcrowded planet—Economist
Malthusian
noun
Cite this Entry
“Malthusian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Malthusian. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.
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