im·pov·er·ish 
/ɪmˈpɑ:vərɪʃ/ verb
im·pov·er·ish·es; im·pov·er·ished; im·pov·er·ish·ing /ɪmˈpɑ:vərɪʃ/ verb [+ obj] 1 : to make (someone) poor
▪ The dictator enriched himself but impoverished his people. 2 : to use up the strength or richness of (something, such as land)
▪ Poor farming practices impoverished the soil.
▪ The dictator enriched himself but impoverished his people.
▪ Poor farming practices impoverished the soil.
— impoverished adjective [more impoverished; most impoverished]
▪ the most impoverished areas [=the poorest areas] of the country ▪ acres of impoverished soil
▪ the most impoverished areas [=the poorest areas] of the country ▪ acres of impoverished soil
— im·pov·er·ish·ment /ɪmˈpɑ:vərɪʃmənt/ noun [noncount]
▪ the impoverishment of the people/soil
/ɪmˈpɑ:vərɪʃmənt/ noun [noncount] ▪ the impoverishment of the people/soil
