Impoverish: meaning, definitions and examples

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impoverish

[ ɪmˈpɑːvərɪʃ ]

^{Context #1}

financial

To make someone or something poor, especially by taking away possessions or reducing income.

Synonyms

bankrupt, deprive, pauperize

Examples of usage

He felt that the war would impoverish the country.
The economic policies were likely to impoverish the already vulnerable population.
Cutting off aid will only further impoverish the region.

^{Context #2}

quality

To make something weaker or less effective.

Synonyms

diminish, impair, weaken

Examples of usage

The lack of resources will impoverish the educational system.
The constant stress can impoverish one's health.

Translations

Translations of the word "impoverish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 empobrecer

🇮🇳 दरिद्र करना

🇩🇪 verarmen

🇮🇩 memiskinkan

🇺🇦 збіднювати

🇵🇱 zubożyć

🇯🇵 貧しくする (まずしくする)

🇫🇷 appauvrir

🇪🇸 empobrecer

🇹🇷 fakirleştirmek

🇰🇷 가난하게 하다

🇸🇦 إفقار

🇨🇿 zchudnout

🇸🇰 ochudobniť

🇨🇳 使贫困 (shǐ pínkùn)

🇸🇮 obubožati

🇮🇸 gera fátækt

🇰🇿 кедейлендіру

🇬🇪 გაღარიბება (gagaribeba)

🇦🇿 fakirleştirmək

🇲🇽 empobrecer

Word origin

The term "impoverish" originated from the Old French word "empoverir", which comes from the Latin word "in" (meaning "into") and "pauper" (meaning "poor"). The concept of impoverishing has been present throughout history, often as a result of economic struggles, wars, or natural disasters.