IMPOVERISH Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

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

impoverish

verb

Definition of impoverish next

as in to pauperize

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to deplete

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

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

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of impoverish Businesses will best prosper on a planet that is not impoverished by a climate crisis, as well as in stable communities with lower levels of inequality, a vibrant middle class, and a respect for fundamental human rights. —

Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 30 May 2024 If forced to go into inadequate prescription benefit programs, many retirees will be spending thousands of dollars each year for life saving medications, eventually impoverishing their family. —

Susan McComas, Baltimore Sun, 23 Feb. 2024 Chega campaigned promising higher salaries and better conditions for workers, who the party said had been impoverished by a greedy elite. —

Emma Bubola, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024 The real architect of those reforms, Yegor Gaidar—the economist who was, briefly, acting prime minister under President Boris Yeltsin—was cursed by the general public, who blamed him for destroying the Soviet economy and impoverishing the population. —

Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for impoverish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impoverish

Verb

The woman’s life savings were nearly depleted, leading to her declaring bankruptcy and her home being repossessed.

Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Dec. 2024
Stores are crowded and sales associates are overworked, heightening the risk of slow service, depleted inventory and frustrated customers.

Joe Arrage, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024