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
Reuters, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
The caravan, which departed earlier this month, is expected to take weeks to reach its destination, where migrants hope to find higher-paying jobs in Mexico’s capital city, rather than its impoverished south.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
But the Shah’s failure to provide support to the peasants led to their farms failing, and sent waves of impoverished migrants to Tehran and other Iranian cities—many of whom would later fuel the 1979 revolution.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
Her existence in the vibrant capital city of Sepphoris brings into questions some of our traditional assumptions of Mary as an impoverished illiterate from a backwater rural village with no exposure to Greco-Roman culture.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impoverished
Adjective
Pakistan is the main source of goods and food supplies for landlocked, impoverished Afghanistan.
—Reuters, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
The caravan, which departed earlier this month, is expected to take weeks to reach its destination, where migrants hope to find higher-paying jobs in Mexico’s capital city, rather than its impoverished south.
—Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
But the Shah’s failure to provide support to the peasants led to their farms failing, and sent waves of impoverished migrants to Tehran and other Iranian cities—many of whom would later fuel the 1979 revolution.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
Her existence in the vibrant capital city of Sepphoris brings into questions some of our traditional assumptions of Mary as an impoverished illiterate from a backwater rural village with no exposure to Greco-Roman culture.
—Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for impoverished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impoverished
Adjective
-
The Ministry of Environment blamed this year’s surge on a poor acorn harvest – which drove a similar spate of attacks in 2023.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Rather, the slow start (by Ovechkin’s standards) to this season seemed due more to poor puck luck.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Bir Tawil, for instance — a desolate parcel of desert on the Egyptian-Sudanese border.—
Richard Collett,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
-
To find the killer, Sherlock Holmes and Watson will have to brave desolate moors before a family curse dooms the newest heirs.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Court filings reveal that the contingency fund is nearly depleted, with no money left for new applicants, disaster relief, or emergency reserves.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The contingency fund used for November's partial payment will be depleted, leaving no funds if the shutdown continues.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
If only every actor could find the chance to to exercise such go-for-broke freedom.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Continue reading … NOT SO 'POPULAR' – Former 'Wicked' star reveals backlash over Charlie Kirk comments 'nearly broke' her.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Whatever your candy preference, no one wants to spend the evening strolling barren streets hoping to find some goodies.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
27 Oct. 2025
-
An arid, barren landscape with extreme temperature swings from 45 to -40 degrees Celsius (113 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit).—
Rosanna Philpott,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
An old fur coat or feather stole could also be ruined.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Cash is king right now, Hsia said, and the AFJ is matching up to $1 million in donations that will go toward things such as new roofs for houses whose roofs were blown off and new furniture after many people's belongings were soaked through and ruined.—
Matt Nighswander,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After all avenues have been exhausted for finding out who these people are, the chief medical examiner of Alexandroupoli calls the chief imam of Sidiro, which is a Muslim Greek village.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Lakshmi, who spent nearly 17 years hosting and executive-producing Top Chef before stepping down in 2023, was, understandably, exhausted by the format.—
Khushbu Shah,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
While the eradication of our species might sound like a bleak ending note, Lanthimos tells EW that audiences are divided on whether the film presents a hopeful or pessimistic view of the future.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Duffy painted a bleak scene at airports if the shutdown is not ended before Thanksgiving travel.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impoverished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impoverished. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share