malnourished
adjective
mal·nour·ished
ˌmal-ˈnər-isht 
-ˈnə-risht
: supplied with less than the minimum or an unbalanced amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by malnutrition
When it comes to certain nutrients, in fact, an estimated 80 to 90 percent of obese individuals are malnourished.—
Maria Konnikova
Maria Konnikova
especially
: undernourished sense 1
How do you help malnourished children and assure that they won't go hungry again after you leave? —Melissa Hendricks
Melissa Hendricks Patients may become malnourished from being unable to take food by mouth … —Laura Landro
Laura Landro Examples of malnourished in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The photos show a malnourished Sprout wearing a small red sweater, as the shelter encouraged people to donate to assist with her care.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
The Anaheim Police Department arrested a 30-year-old woman who allegedly threw a malnourished dog over an iron gate two weeks ago.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 27 Nov. 2025
As the video posted to social media shows, the dog was in a weak condition and appeared badly malnourished.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's child abuse unit was called to the hospital and found that Rosales Alvarado was severely malnourished and had visible injuries across his body, according to court documents.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malnourished
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Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
The Anaheim Police Department arrested a 30-year-old woman who allegedly threw a malnourished dog over an iron gate two weeks ago.
—Michele Gile, CBS News, 27 Nov. 2025
As the video posted to social media shows, the dog was in a weak condition and appeared badly malnourished.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's child abuse unit was called to the hospital and found that Rosales Alvarado was severely malnourished and had visible injuries across his body, according to court documents.
—Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malnourished
Cite this Entry
“Malnourished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malnourished. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malnourished
adjective
mal·nour·ished
(ˈ)mal-ˈnər-isht
-ˈnə-risht
: poorly nourished : undernourished
Medical Definition
malnourished
adjective
mal·nour·ished
(ˈ)mal-ˈnər-isht, -ˈnə-risht
: supplied with less than the minimum or an unbalanced amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by malnutrition
When it comes to certain nutrients, in fact, an estimated 80 to 90 percent of obese individuals are malnourished.—Maria Konnikova
Maria Konnikova
especially
: undernourished
How do you help malnourished children and assure that they won't go hungry again after you leave? —Melissa Hendricks
Melissa Hendricks Patients may become malnourished from being unable to take food by mouth … —Laura Landro
Laura Landro Love words? Need even more definitions?
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