have-not

noun

ˈhav-ˌnät How to pronounce have-not (audio)
-ˈnät
: one that is poor especially in material wealth

Examples of have-not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The International Monetary Fund warned earlier this year that some 40% of jobs around the world could be affected by the rise of AI, and that this trend will likely deepen the already cavernous gulf between the haves and have-nots. Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 13 Apr. 2024 In my perspective, the real fear isn't AI itself but the fear of being sorted into a class of the haves and have-nots. Cheryl Goodman, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 To understand the chasm between programs like Oakland’s and Kentucky’s, consider the newest measure that separates the haves and have-nots: name, image and likeness funds. Billy Witz, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 And in an election year, with two presidential candidates who tend to further exacerbate an existing divide, a haves and have-nots housing market doesn’t help. Byalena Botros, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 And this situation is widening the divide between the haves and have-nots. Matt Egan, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 There’s already a gulf opening in society between the technological haves and have-nots. Bernard Marr, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 The division between the technological haves and have-nots will only continue to grow. Naomi Alderman, WIRED, 14 Jan. 2024 The ballooning value of property in America is exacerbating the gap between the haves and have-nots. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'have-not.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of have-not was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near have-not

Cite this Entry

“Have-not.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have-not. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

have-not

noun
ˈhav-ˌnät,
-ˈnät
: one that is poor in material wealth

More from Merriam-Webster on have-not

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