as in starvation
the unhealthy condition that results from not eating enough food or not eating enough healthy food; poor nutrition
a program to help poor children suffering from malnutrition
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Recent Examples of malnutrition
In the pandemic year of 2022 (the last year for which there is data), about 20,500 Americans died of malnutrition, though the vast majority were age 85 or older and had underlying health problems, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health.
—
Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Most people were short and slight due to childhood malnutrition, and diseases scythed regularly through their weak immune systems.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
At the same time, residents were losing significant weight and developing malnutrition, enduring life-threatening pressure ulcers and repeatedly suffering unwitnessed falls, in part due to understaffing, James alleged.
—Eli Cahan, ProPublica, 23 Mar. 2026
Since Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn took office in 2017, more than 70 inmates have died in Tarrant County Jail from causes ranging from malnutrition and dehydration to use of force by jail staff, as was the case with Anthony Johnson, whose death was ruled a homicide.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malnutrition
Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026
Most people were short and slight due to childhood malnutrition, and diseases scythed regularly through their weak immune systems.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
At the same time, residents were losing significant weight and developing malnutrition, enduring life-threatening pressure ulcers and repeatedly suffering unwitnessed falls, in part due to understaffing, James alleged.
—Eli Cahan, ProPublica, 23 Mar. 2026
Since Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn took office in 2017, more than 70 inmates have died in Tarrant County Jail from causes ranging from malnutrition and dehydration to use of force by jail staff, as was the case with Anthony Johnson, whose death was ruled a homicide.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for malnutrition
Recent Examples of Synonyms for malnutrition
starvation
Noun
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The primary caregivers of a 14-year-old girl who died from starvation and neglect in Live Oak more than a year ago were arrested in Washington on murder and child abuse charges, according to the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
20 Apr. 2026
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Alice Ribes, emergency country director for the International Rescue Committee in Haiti, said millions continue to face a worsening crisis marked by escalating violence, hunger and starvation, forced displacement of people from their homes and outbreaks of disease.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Malnutrition.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/malnutrition. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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