Impoverishment: meaning, definitions and examples
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impoverishment
[ ɪmˈpɒvərɪʃmənt ]
economic
The state of being extremely poor, lacking the resources or means for a decent standard of living.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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impoverishment |
Typically used in more formal or academic settings to describe the process or state of becoming extremely poor.
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poverty |
A general term used to describe the state of being poor, lacking sufficient financial resources to meet basic living needs.
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destitution |
Used to describe a state of extreme need or lack of essentials for living, often highlighting the severity and desperation of the situation.
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penury |
A more literary or formal term for extreme poverty, often indicating severe deprivation and hardship.
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Examples of usage
- Years of war led to widespread impoverishment in the region.
- The government's policies have resulted in the impoverishment of many families.
general
The act or process of making or becoming poor.
Synonyms
deprivation, impoverishing, ruin.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
impoverishment |
This term is typically used in formal contexts to describe the state of being extremely poor or lacking basic resources.
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impoverishing |
Impoverishing is used to describe the process or action of making someone poor or reducing their resources. It often has a negative connotation.
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deprivation |
Deprivation is often used in social, medical, or humanitarian contexts to describe the condition of lacking basic necessities or suffering from serious deficiencies.
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ruin |
Ruin refers to the state of complete destruction or severe damage, often in financial contexts but can also be used more broadly. It has a very strong negative connotation.
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Examples of usage
- The impoverishment of the soil due to over-farming.
- The economic downturn led to the impoverishment of the population.
Translations
Translations of the word "impoverishment" in other languages:
🇵🇹 empobrecimento
🇮🇳 दरिद्रता
🇩🇪 Verarmung
🇮🇩 pemiskinan
🇺🇦 зубожіння
🇵🇱 zubożenie
🇯🇵 貧困化 (ひんこんか)
🇫🇷 appauvrissement
🇪🇸 empobrecimiento
🇹🇷 fakirleşme
🇰🇷 빈곤화 (貧困化)
🇸🇦 إفقار
🇨🇿 zchudnutí
🇸🇰 zchudobnenie
🇨🇳 贫困化 (pín kùn huà)
🇸🇮 osiromašenje
🇮🇸 fátækt
🇰🇿 кедейшілік
🇬🇪 გაღარიბება
🇦🇿 kasıblaşma
🇲🇽 empobrecimiento
Etymology
The word 'impoverishment' originated from the Old French word 'empoverir', meaning 'to make poor'. It entered the English language in the late 16th century. The concept of impoverishment has been a significant issue throughout history, often resulting from economic downturns, wars, or social policies. Addressing impoverishment remains a key challenge for societies worldwide.
See also: impoverished, impoverishing.