undernourished

adjective

un·​der·​nour·​ished ˌən-dər-ˈnər-isht How to pronounce undernourished (audio)
-ˈnə-risht
Synonyms of undernourishednext
1
: supplied with less than the minimum amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by undernutrition
undernourished infants
Since these drugs suppress appetite, stimulant users are often undernourished and experience all the ill effects of that condition.—Cynthia Kuhn
2
: poorly supplied with vital elements or qualities
undernourished independent libraries
undernourishment
ˌən-dər-ˈnər-ish-mənt How to pronounce undernourished (audio)
-ˈnə-rish-
noun

Examples of undernourished in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The kid appeared undernourished and wearing a torn Miami Heat T-shirt. — David Dickstein, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026 And photos and videos after the storm showed undernourished Cubans, men, women and children dressed in rags and people barely managing in makeshift homes. — David Goodhue march 16, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026 Nursing mothers had to travel farther to find food, leaving many pups undernourished and leading to thousands of strandings along the California coast. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 July 2026 The conflict in Iran has caused oil prices in Haiti to surge, disrupting critical supply chains, doubling transportation costs and forcing millions of undernourished people to cut back on already scarce meals. — Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for undernourished

Word History

First Known Use

1863, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of undernourished was in 1863

Rhymes for undernourished

See All Rhymes for undernourished

Browse Nearby Words

undernoted
undernourished
undernourishment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undernourished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undernourished. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

undernourished

adjective
un·​der·​nour·​ished ˌən-dər-ˈnər-isht How to pronounce undernourished (audio)
-ˈnə-risht
: supplied with too little food for health and growth
undernourishment
-ˈnər-ish-ment How to pronounce undernourished (audio)
-ˈnə-rish-
noun

Medical Definition

undernourished

adjective
un·​der·​nour·​ished ˌən-dər-ˈnər-isht, -ˈnə-risht How to pronounce undernourished (audio)
: supplied with less than the minimum amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by undernutrition
undernourished infants
Since these drugs suppress appetite, stimulant users are often undernourished and experience all the ill effects of that condition.—Cynthia Kuhn
undernourishment
-ˈnər-ish-mənt, -ˈnə-rish- How to pronounce undernourished (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on undernourished

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for undernourished

Nglish: Translation of undernourished for Spanish Speakers

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