impoverish
[ im-pov-er-ish, -pov-rish ]
/ ɪmˈpɒv ər ɪʃ, -ˈpɒv rɪʃ /
verb (used with object)
to reduce to poverty: a country impoverished by war.
to make poor in quality, productiveness, etc.; exhaust the strength or richness of: Bad farming practices impoverished the soil.
Origin of impoverish
SYNONYMS FOR impoverish
OTHER WORDS FROM impoverish
im·pov·er·ish·er, noun im·pov·er·ish·ment, nounWords nearby impoverish
imposure,
impotence,
impotent,
impound,
impoundment,
impoverish,
impoverished,
impower,
impracticable,
impractical,
imprecate
Example sentences from the Web for impoverish
British Dictionary definitions for impoverish
impoverish
/ (ɪmˈpɒvərɪʃ) /
verb (tr)
to make poor or diminish the quality of
to impoverish society by cutting the grant to the arts
to deprive (soil, etc) of fertility
Derived forms of impoverish
impoverisher, noun impoverishment, nounWord Origin for impoverish
C15: from Old French
empovrir, from
povre
poor