impoverished
adjective
-ˈpä-və-\
Definition of impoverished
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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for impoverished
Synonyms
beggared, beggarly, broke, destitute, dirt-poor, down-and-out, famished, hard up, impecunious, indigent, necessitous, needful, needy, pauperized, penniless, penurious, poor, poverty-stricken
Antonyms
affluent, deep-pocketed, fat, fat-cat, flush, moneyed (also monied), opulent, rich, silk-stocking, wealthy, well-heeled, well-off, well-to-do
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Examples of impoverished in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analysis of housing costs showed people in some of the most impoverished areas of the city can pay as much as $900 per month in rent. — James E. Causey Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The ache of segregation: One woman's journey from city to the burbs," 21 June 2018 Most of the arrivals, after being apprehended at the border, were simply given bus tickets to this already impoverished area. — Brian Goldstone, The New Republic, "Essential reporting, interpretation, and opinion on politics and culture. Don't miss our latest.," 26 June 2018 The context is a profoundly impoverished intellectual and political climate where the feeling of truth is more meaningful than truth itself. — Laurie Penny, Longreads, "Peterson’s Complaint," 12 July 2018 Granik's sophomore effort, Winter's Bone (2010), brought critical acclaim to TV actress Jennifer Lawrence for her flinty performance as an impoverished 17-year-old girl fending for herself and her younger siblings in the Ozarks. — J.r. Jones, Chicago Reader, "Leave No Trace approaches homelessness on the most intimate terms," 11 July 2018 More than one in four people who share his neighborhood on the north side of Milwaukee are impoverished. — Crocker Stephenson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "For Jacobi and others like him, working at DreamBikes is more than a job. It's restoration.," 3 July 2018 Forbes was impoverished as a child, a residual victim of his mother’s depression. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Defense lawyers seek mercy for three convicted in Broward deputy's murder," 29 June 2018 Sherill grew up impoverished and without knowing his father, according to the Charlotte Observer, falling into peer pressure that led to purse-snatching and car theft punctuated by prison time at age 16. — Josh Hafner, USA TODAY, "Once an illiterate and homeless drug addict, man graduates college at age 65," 12 June 2018 Today, just 11 percent of us are impoverished, although, 46 percent would fall back into poverty without Social Security. — Jerry Brady, idahostatesman, "Compared to young Americans, seniors are a privileged lot. It wasn’t always so. | Idaho Statesman," 28 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impoverished.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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