pauperize

[ paw-puh-rahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, pau·per·ized, pau·per·iz·ing.

1. to make a pauper of:

   His extravagance pauperized him.

pauperize

/ ˈpɔːpəˌraɪz /

verb

1. tr to make a pauper of; impoverish

Other Words From

• pauper·i·zation noun
• pauper·izer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pauperize¹

First recorded in 1825–35; pauper + -ize

Example Sentences

German merchants are conducting a secret propaganda intending to steal our trade and pauperize our nation.

From Project Gutenberg

He did not propose to pauperize his farm by applying his personal ignorance to working it.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever tends to pauperize our people or impair the earning power of the laboring class I do not favor.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

That furnishing free books tends to pauperize the community and to discourage the purchase of books for home use.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bankrupt
• impoverish
• ruin