Impoverished - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Impoverished means extremely poor or deprived of resources, often referring to people, communities, or regions lacking basic necessities like food, shelter, or financial stability. It implies severe hardship.
Definition:
Reduced to poverty; lacking resources or vitality.
Synonyms:
destitute, needy, penniless, deprived
Part of Speech:
adjective
Antonyms:
wealthy, affluent
Common Collocations:
impoverished community, impoverished nation, impoverished conditions
Derivatives:
impoverishment, impoverishing
Usage Tips:
Use "impoverished" to describe extreme poverty or depletion of resources, not just temporary lack.
Common Phrases:
impoverished background, impoverished soil, impoverished spirit
Etymology:
From Old French "empoverir," meaning to make poor, derived from Latin "pauper" (poor).
Examples:
- 1. The war left the region impoverished and struggling to rebuild.
- 2. Many families in the area live in impoverished conditions without basic necessities.
- 3. The drought has impoverished the farmland, leaving crops withered.
- 4. Her childhood was spent in an impoverished neighborhood with few opportunities.