undernourished
adjective
un·der·nour·ished
ˌən-dər-ˈnər-isht 
-ˈnə-risht
1
: supplied with less than the minimum amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by undernutrition
undernourished infants
Since these drugs suppress appetite, stimulant users are often undernourished and experience all the ill effects of that condition.—
Cynthia Kuhn
Cynthia Kuhn2
: poorly supplied with vital elements or qualities
undernourished independent libraries
Examples of undernourished in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Officers from the Polk County Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit in Florida received a tip that two undernourished horses were seen on a farm in Lake Wales, according to a press release.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 7 June 2025
Season 49 and 50 are filming back to back, so these two will be particularly undernourished out there.
—Ben Rosenstock, Time, 29 May 2025
Almost 37% of the population is undernourished, and about one-quarter of children have stunting, a condition that is associated with malnutrition.
—John Okot, Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 2025
Smith said the skin can undergo further harm, as many are often undernourished thanks to the decrease in appetite from the drugs.
—Emily Burns, Footwear News, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for undernourished
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.
Rachel Flynn, People.com, 7 June 2025
Season 49 and 50 are filming back to back, so these two will be particularly undernourished out there.
—Ben Rosenstock, Time, 29 May 2025
Almost 37% of the population is undernourished, and about one-quarter of children have stunting, a condition that is associated with malnutrition.
—John Okot, Christian Science Monitor, 20 May 2025
Smith said the skin can undergo further harm, as many are often undernourished thanks to the decrease in appetite from the drugs.
—Emily Burns, Footwear News, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for undernourished
Cite this Entry
“Undernourished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undernourished. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
undernourished
adjective
un·der·nour·ished
ˌən-dər-ˈnər-isht
-ˈnə-risht
: supplied with too little food for health and growth
Medical Definition
undernourished
adjective
un·der·nour·ished
ˌən-dər-ˈnər-isht, -ˈnə-risht
: supplied with less than the minimum amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by undernutrition
undernourished infants
Since these drugs suppress appetite, stimulant users are often undernourished and experience all the ill effects of that condition.—Cynthia Kuhn
Cynthia KuhnLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share