impoverish

verb im·pov·er·ish \im-ˈpäv-rish, -ˈpä-və-\

: to make (someone) poor

: to use up the strength or richness of (something, such as land)

Full Definition of IMPOVERISH

transitive verb

: to make poor

: to deprive of strength, richness, or fertility by depleting or draining of something essential

— im·pov·er·ish·er noun

— im·pov·er·ish·ment \-mənt\ noun

See impoverish defined for English-language learners

See impoverish defined for kids

Origin of IMPOVERISH

Middle English enpoverisshen, from Anglo-French empoveriss-, stem of empoverir, from en- + povre poor — more at poor

First Known Use: 15th century

Synonym Discussion of IMPOVERISH

deplete, drain, exhaust, impoverish, bankrupt mean to deprive of something essential to existence or potency. deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function <depleting our natural resources>. drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence <personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit>. exhaust stresses a complete emptying <her lecture exhausted the subject>. impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness <impoverished soil>. bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse <war had bankrupted the nation of resources>.

IMPOVERISH Defined for Kids