Uninhabit

To cease to be inhabited; to cause to become uninhabitable; to deprive of inhabitants. This typically involves rendering a place unsuitable or dangerous for people to live, often due to factors like environmental degradation, warfare, natural disasters, or economic decline. The term emphasizes the act of making a location devoid of human presence, whether through direct expulsion or the gradual discouragement of settlement. It carries a sense of transformation from a lived-in space to one of emptiness or disuse.

Uninhabit meaning with examples

• The catastrophic flooding was so severe that it permanently uninhabited large swathes of the coastal region, forcing families to evacuate and leaving behind ghost towns, swallowed by rising tides. The relentless storms made reconstruction impossible, rendering the area uninhabitable. The authorities declared the zone unsafe.
• Due to the ongoing conflict, the once vibrant city center became gradually uninhabited, as residents fled to safer areas. The constant shelling destroyed infrastructure, making basic necessities unavailable. The lack of safety and essential services effectively uninhabited what was once a thriving community, left in ruins.
• The toxic spill from the industrial plant eventually uninhabited the surrounding farmlands, contaminating the water and soil, leading to an exodus of farmers and their families. Crops failed, livestock died. The environment was rendered uninhabitable, causing a long-term environmental disaster and economic hardship.
• Over time, the decline in the local economy gradually uninhabited the town. Young people left for better job opportunities, businesses closed, and essential services dwindled. With no prospects, the population dwindled, and the houses stood empty, slowly returning to the natural world making it uninhabitable for humans.
• After the volcanic eruption, the area surrounding the volcano was completely uninhabited. The immediate destruction and continued risks of ash fall, and lahar flows made it impossible for people to remain. The zone remained uninhabitable for years due to the extreme danger from the volcano.