What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impoverish
Example
The economic crisis has impoverished many families in the country. [impoverished: verb]
Example
The overuse of chemicals has impoverished the soil, making it difficult to grow crops. [impoverish: transitive verb]
deprive
Example
The pandemic has deprived many people of their jobs and livelihoods. [deprived: verb]
Example
The prisoner was deprived of his freedom for several years. [deprive: transitive verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deprive is more commonly used than impoverish in everyday language. Deprive is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while impoverish is less common and is often used in formal or academic contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between impoverish and deprive?
Impoverish is typically associated with a formal or academic tone, while deprive is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
