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pauperize

American  
[paw-puh-rahyz] / ˈpɔ pəˌraɪz /
especially British, pauperise

verb (used with object)

pauperized, pauperizing
  1. to make a pauper of.

    His extravagance pauperized him.


pauperize British  
/ ˈpɔːpəˌraɪz /

verb

  1. (tr) to make a pauper of; impoverish

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of pauperize

First recorded in 1825–35; pauper + -ize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Arose Alexander R. Sheppard, great public spirit, great builder, to pave and light streets, lay sewers, plant trees, pauperize himself.

From Time Magazine Archive

Runaway price boosts might wipe out savings, pauperize individuals, bring down governments —but usually in only one or a few countries at any specific time, and for what seemed fairly clear reasons.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Sure they do,” Billy agreed, “only Nancy has kind of given up her struggle not to pauperize them.”

From Outside Inn by Kelley, Ethel M. (Ethel May)

But, after all, you may pauperize people almost as rapidly in the attic as in the almshouse.

From White Slaves; or, the Oppression of the Worthy Poor by Banks, Louis Albert

A limited endowment fund would be helpful, but too large endowment tends to pauperize a local institution.

From Society Its Origin and Development by Rowe, Henry Kalloch

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