impoverished
adjective
im·pov·er·ished im-ˈpä-v(ə-)risht 
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
Marriott’s report was the first time a British aid charity had documented how taxpayers’ money was funding a business accused of detaining impoverished African patients. —
Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026 Sickert is showcased here for both his impressionistic instincts and his portrayal of previously taboo art subjects such as prostitutes and the impoverished. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026 As Rose’s impoverished yet imperious mother Ruth, Parson’s dry deliveries offer great comic ballast to this ship of fools. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026 Jack grew up in an impoverished single-parent household and David is from a wealthy Texan family. —Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impoverished
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.
Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026 Sickert is showcased here for both his impressionistic instincts and his portrayal of previously taboo art subjects such as prostitutes and the impoverished. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026 As Rose’s impoverished yet imperious mother Ruth, Parson’s dry deliveries offer great comic ballast to this ship of fools. —Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026 Jack grew up in an impoverished single-parent household and David is from a wealthy Texan family. —Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for impoverished
Cite this Entry
“Impoverished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/impoverished. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
