impoverished

[im-pov-er-isht, -pov-risht]

adjective

1. reduced to poverty.

2. (of a country, area, etc.) having few trees, flowers, birds, wild animals, etc.

3. deprived of strength, vitality, creativeness, etc..

   an impoverished attempt at humor.

Other Word Forms

• unimpoverished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of impoverished¹

First recorded in 1625–35; impoverish + -ed ²

Synonym Study

See poor.

Example Sentences

"They were good and solid people... We encouraged and supported each other for about 50 years. My life is greatly impoverished without them."

From BBC

Previous reports from UC Riverside have called the area one of the most impoverished and environmentally deteriorated regions in California.

From Los Angeles Times

“Now Palestinians are more impoverished than ever. All the factions did was destroy the economic infrastructure in Yarmouk,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Later, at the freezing cold abode of one of the leaders of the strike, the impoverished scene takes on unmistakable Dickensian notes.

From Los Angeles Times

To say that this is an impoverished version of what this country’s mission should be is putting it mildly.

From Salon

Related Words

• barren 
• destitute 
• distressed 
• indigent 
• needy 
• poverty-stricken 
• strapped