1
as in poor
lacking money or material possessions
the widespread hope that the lottery's record-setting jackpot is won by an impoverished family
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
an impoverished field that over the years had been overgrazed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in pauperized
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in depleted
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example 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 impoverished
Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
The redevelopment could begin unfolding as the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, the former Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, begins construction on a new $35 million headquarters in Clay Arsenal, two major projects for the long-impoverished neighborhood.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Those differences have been sharply felt in Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s impoverished southern neighbor wracked by a complex civil war since 2014.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
Rivers of Babylon, written in 1991 by the Slovak author Peter Pišťanek, tells the story of a young, simple-minded, and broad-shouldered ex-soldier called Rácz who leaves his impoverished village in the Slovakian countryside to work as the stoker of a hotel in Bratislava.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impoverished
Adjective
Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.
—Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
The redevelopment could begin unfolding as the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, the former Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, begins construction on a new $35 million headquarters in Clay Arsenal, two major projects for the long-impoverished neighborhood.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 30 Apr. 2026
Those differences have been sharply felt in Yemen, Saudi Arabia’s impoverished southern neighbor wracked by a complex civil war since 2014.
—Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 29 Apr. 2026
Rivers of Babylon, written in 1991 by the Slovak author Peter Pišťanek, tells the story of a young, simple-minded, and broad-shouldered ex-soldier called Rácz who leaves his impoverished village in the Slovakian countryside to work as the stoker of a hotel in Bratislava.
—Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for impoverished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impoverished
Adjective
-
After wildfires hit Georgia in April 2026 fueled by a rain deficit, high winds and low humidity, — among other causes, per NASA — neighboring states got slammed with poor air quality alerts.—
Ryan Brennan
May 19,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
-
However his attitude on health care and taxes places Newsom at odds with advocates for poor Californians who would be affected and their allies in the Legislature, many of whom want a tax increase.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
The delicate pitter-patter of a drum’s cymbal is the only sound to break through the thick brick wall of the obscure performance venue, Sun Space, and reach the wide, desolate Sunland Boulevard.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
-
Earlier this week, along a desolate stretch of road lined with oil refineries just north of the border between Shandong and Hebei provinces, an awareness of that spotlight seemed palpable.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The 200 doors require about $55 million in annual lease payments, which has depleted West Marine’s liquidity, according a declaratory statement filed with the bankruptcy court by the retailer’s CEO Paulee Day.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
-
But as those inventories continue to be depleted, the market’s ability to absorb shocks is becoming increasingly limited.—
,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
His star power helps draw viewers into an increasingly strange story, and the increasingly strange story draws out the power of his go-for-broke charms.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 May 2026
-
The film is a go-for-broke expression of wild imagination and social consciousness that’s impossible not to admire for its wacky, bold vision, with teleporting, high fashion snobbery and pyramid schemes.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
The beer aisles in the surrounding supermarkets were barren, pubs were packed and the streets flooded.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
23 May 2026
-
The summit is a barren ash field, gray and treeless, scoured by sulfuric gas and acidic rain that burns whatever tries to grow.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
If outdoor dining is being ruined by buzzing pests, the Gootop bug zapper may be the easiest way to reclaim your outdoor space (and your cheeseburger)!—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
-
Caputo claimed the second probe lasted until the end of 2025, and both investigations drained his family’s savings, ruined his career, and impacted his health, among other things.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
Verb
-
An April shipment of crude — one of the only oil deliveries this year — has been exhausted, with Cuba’s minister of energy and mines announcing this week that the country lacks fuel to power its antiquated electrical grid and is relying on domestic oil and solar panels.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, in 2023, at a time when I was exhausted from the seeming futility of constantly writing and talking about it, fascism and the decline of democracy became popular topics in the mainstream media.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
While the overall state of the Angels remains bleak – their 18-34 record is the worst in the majors – on this night the fans could enjoy a rare break from the misery.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
-
In a world that often feels increasingly bleak and politically exhausted, there’s comfort in leaning into softness, seduction, and fantasy, and in letting your wardrobe reflect that desire too.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impoverished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impoverished. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
