impoverish

/im-ˈpä-v(ə-)rish/

Middle English enpoverisshen, from Anglo-French empoveriss-, stem of empoverir, from en- + povre poor

verb

  1. to make poor

  2. to deprive of strength, richness, or fertility by depleting or draining of something essential

deplete drain exhaust impoverish bankrupt mean to deprive of something essential to existence or potency. deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function. drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.