impoverish
verb
im·pov·er·ish
im-ˈpä-v(ə-)rish 
impoverished; impoverishing; impoverishes
1
: to make poor
2
: to deprive of strength, richness, or fertility by depleting or draining of something essential
impoverisher
noun
Examples of impoverish in a Sentence
The dictator enriched himself but impoverished his people.
Poor farming practices impoverished the soil.
Recent Examples on the Web
That a short-term judgment about what the market will bear can choke off a literary legacy and, to some extent, impoverish a culture.
—
Mark Athitakis, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2024
The National Council on Aging has found that 80% of older adults would be unable to absorb a financial shock — such as the need for long-term care — without impoverishing themselves.
—Jane Tavares, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2024
Even without ceremony, shaming is a universal way small groups discourage anti-social behavior—especially when the pursuit of self-interest endangers or impoverishes the group as a whole.
—John C. Goodman, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
Putin has degraded political freedom, impoverished the media landscape, and forced many talented Russians into exile.
—Maksim Samorukov, Foreign Affairs, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impoverish 
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Mark Athitakis, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2024
The National Council on Aging has found that 80% of older adults would be unable to absorb a financial shock — such as the need for long-term care — without impoverishing themselves.
—Jane Tavares, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2024
Even without ceremony, shaming is a universal way small groups discourage anti-social behavior—especially when the pursuit of self-interest endangers or impoverishes the group as a whole.
—John C. Goodman, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
Putin has degraded political freedom, impoverished the media landscape, and forced many talented Russians into exile.
—Maksim Samorukov, Foreign Affairs, 25 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for impoverish
Dictionary Entries Near impoverish
Cite this Entry
“Impoverish.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impoverish. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
impoverish
verb
im·pov·er·ish
im-ˈpäv-(ə-)rish
1
: to make poor
2
: to use up the strength or richness of
impoverished soil
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