Definition

Verb (transitive) To provide a person, animal, or plant with insufficient quality or quantity of nourishment to maintain proper health and growth.

Usage

The verb "malnourish" describes the action of causing malnutrition. It is typically used in passive constructions (e.g., "to be malnourished") or in contexts discussing the causes of poor nutrition. * The primary goal of the aid agency is to reach children who are malnourished. * Prolonged drought can malnourish entire herds of livestock. * A diet consisting only of rice will malnourish a growing child.

Examples

• The report concluded that the prisoners were deliberately malnourished.
• Soil depletion can malnourish crops, leading to lower yields.
• Many street animals are severely malnourished and in need of veterinary care.

Advanced Usage

• Causative Agent: While often used in the passive voice focusing on the state of the subject, the active voice can specify the agent causing the malnutrition.
  • The economic policies effectively malnourished the poorest segment of the population.
• Figurative Use: Occasionally used metaphorically to describe depriving something of essential elements for development.
  • A curriculum that ignores the arts malnourishes the creative spirit.

Variants and Related Words

• Malnourished (adjective): Suffering from malnutrition.
  • The malnourished patient was admitted for urgent care.
• Malnutrition (noun): The physical condition resulting from a lack of adequate nutrients.
  • Chronic malnutrition can lead to permanent developmental issues.

Synonyms

• Undernourish: (Very close synonym, often used interchangeably) To provide with less nourishment than is required.
• Starve: To suffer or cause to suffer from a severe lack of food. (Stronger, implying a more extreme and life-threatening lack.)
• Deprive: To deny a person or thing of something needed. (More general; requires context, e.g., "deprive of nutrients").

Antonyms

• Nourish: To provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.
• Feed: To give food to.
• Nurture: To care for and encourage the growth or development of.

Verb

1. provide with insufficient quality or quantity of nourishment
   • The stunted growth of these children shows that they are undernourished