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
Wealthy suburbs, with their high real estate taxes, can build and fund billion-dollar schools without having many (if any) impoverished students.
—
Michael Maguire, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The voice that replies, however, is not that of his wife but rather an impoverished young woman who has entered the medium’s caravan to steal food.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
Similarly, the video Som da Maloka, 2024, by Raphael Escobar overturns negative stereotypes about the shelterless men of color living in Cracolândia, a highly impoverished and heavily policed area of downtown São Paulo ravaged by crack cocaine and other drugs.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Politicians continue to treat seniors as an overwhelmingly fragile and impoverished group in order to oppose reforming the system.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impoverished
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Michael Maguire, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The voice that replies, however, is not that of his wife but rather an impoverished young woman who has entered the medium’s caravan to steal food.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 1 Jan. 2026
Similarly, the video Som da Maloka, 2024, by Raphael Escobar overturns negative stereotypes about the shelterless men of color living in Cracolândia, a highly impoverished and heavily policed area of downtown São Paulo ravaged by crack cocaine and other drugs.
—Michaëla De Lacaze Mohrmann, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Politicians continue to treat seniors as an overwhelmingly fragile and impoverished group in order to oppose reforming the system.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impoverished
Cite this Entry
“Impoverished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impoverished. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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