malnourished
adjective
mal·nour·ished
ˌmal-ˈnər-isht 
-ˈnə-risht
: supplied with less than the minimum or an unbalanced amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by malnutrition
When it comes to certain nutrients, in fact, an estimated 80 to 90 percent of obese individuals are malnourished.—
Maria Konnikova
Maria Konnikova
especially
: undernourished sense 1
How do you help malnourished children and assure that they won't go hungry again after you leave? —Melissa Hendricks
Melissa Hendricks Patients may become malnourished from being unable to take food by mouth … —Laura Landro
Laura Landro Examples of malnourished in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The use of vitamin A is sometimes recommended for infected patients, especially children, who are already malnourished or nutrient deficient, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
The findings revealed that the puppy was severely malnourished.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
After police responded to a child welfare report by the baby’s health care provider, the boy was taken to St. Luke’s, where a doctor determined he was malnourished and in need of care, according to the subsequent lawsuit by St. Luke’s and trial testimony.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 12 Mar. 2025
The use of vitamin A is linked to measles in that it is sometimes recommended for use in infected patients, especially children, who are already malnourished or nutrient deficient, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malnourished
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Saleen Martin, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
The findings revealed that the puppy was severely malnourished.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
After police responded to a child welfare report by the baby’s health care provider, the boy was taken to St. Luke’s, where a doctor determined he was malnourished and in need of care, according to the subsequent lawsuit by St. Luke’s and trial testimony.
—Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 12 Mar. 2025
The use of vitamin A is linked to measles in that it is sometimes recommended for use in infected patients, especially children, who are already malnourished or nutrient deficient, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for malnourished
Cite this Entry
“Malnourished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malnourished. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
malnourished
adjective
mal·nour·ished
(ˈ)mal-ˈnər-isht
-ˈnə-risht
: poorly nourished : undernourished
Medical Definition
malnourished
adjective
mal·nour·ished
(ˈ)mal-ˈnər-isht, -ˈnə-risht
: supplied with less than the minimum or an unbalanced amount of the nutrients or foods essential for sound health and growth : marked by malnutrition
When it comes to certain nutrients, in fact, an estimated 80 to 90 percent of obese individuals are malnourished.—Maria Konnikova
Maria Konnikova
especially
: undernourished
How do you help malnourished children and assure that they won't go hungry again after you leave? —Melissa Hendricks
Melissa Hendricks Patients may become malnourished from being unable to take food by mouth … —Laura Landro
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