Malthusian

American  

[mal-thoo-zhuhn, -zee-uhn] / mælˈθu ʒən, -zi ən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the theories of T. R. Malthus, which state that population tends to increase faster, at a geometrical ratio, than the means of subsistence, which increases at an arithmetical ratio, and that this will result in an inadequate supply of the goods supporting life unless war, famine, or disease reduces the population or the increase of population is checked.

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noun

1. a follower of Malthus.

Malthusian British  

/ mælˈθjuːzɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to the theory of Malthus stating that increases in population tend to exceed increases in the means of subsistence and that therefore sexual restraint should be exercised

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noun

1. a supporter of this theory

Other Word Forms

• Malthusianism
  noun
• anti-Malthusianism
  noun
• pro-Malthusianism
  noun
• anti-Malthusian
  adjective
• non-Malthusian
  adjective
• pro-Malthusian
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of Malthusian

First recorded in 1805–15; Malthus + -ian

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Malthusian

Malthusian models and predator-prey equations, for example, have been used to examine the spread of Australian rabbits and the shifting populations of Canadian lynxes and snowshoe hares.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026

His simple idea—that ordinary human beings are “the ultimate resource”—challenged the Malthusian notion that population growth leads to shortages and, ultimately, famine.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 15, 2025

But as a wave of economic liberalization swept through India in the late 1980s, the Malthusian nightmare never materialized.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 14, 2023

In 1877, the Malthusian League, which advocated the use of contraception, was founded in Great Britain.

From Textbooks ● Dec. 14, 2022

“I wonder if you’d mind giving me my Malthusian belt.”

From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley

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