Thesaurus

impoverish

Q: How is the word 'impoverish' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of impoverish are bankrupt , deplete , drain , and exhaust . While all these words mean "to deprive of something essential to existence or potency," impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness. // impoverished soil

Q: When would 'bankrupt' be a good substitute for 'impoverish'?

In some situations, the words bankrupt and impoverish are roughly equivalent. However, bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse. // war had bankrupted the nation of resources

Q: When might 'deplete' be a better fit than 'impoverish'?

The meanings of deplete and impoverish largely overlap; however, deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function. // depleting our natural resources

Q: When can 'drain' be used instead of 'impoverish'?

While in some cases nearly identical to impoverish , drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence. // personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

Q: In what contexts can 'exhaust' take the place of 'impoverish'?

The words exhaust and impoverish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exhaust stresses a complete emptying. // her lecture exhausted the subject

verb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of impoverish

1 as in beggar, pauperize

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for impoverish

beggar,
pauperize

reduce,
straiten

Antonyms & Near Antonyms for impoverish

enrich,
richen

2 as in deplete, consume

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for impoverish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms for impoverish

hoard,
lay up

conserve

Frequently Asked Questions About impoverish

How is the word impoverish distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of impoverish are bankrupt, deplete, drain, and exhaust. While all these words mean "to deprive of something essential to existence or potency," impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness.

impoverished soil

When would bankrupt be a good substitute for impoverish?

In some situations, the words bankrupt and impoverish are roughly equivalent. However, bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse.

war had bankrupted the nation of resources

When might deplete be a better fit than impoverish?

The meanings of deplete and impoverish largely overlap; however, deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function.

depleting our natural resources

When can drain be used instead of impoverish?

While in some cases nearly identical to impoverish, drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.

personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit