as in hobo
a person who lives by public begging
the pitiful beggars that are such a common sight in underdeveloped countries
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of beggar
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
In Havana, beggars are ubiquitous.
—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Michael O'Sullivan,
Washington Post,
26 Apr. 2023
Iraq entered a long, grueling period of international sanctions that beggared its once robust middle class.
—
New York Times,
31 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for beggar
Noun
In the old days beggars were drawn and quartered in that square.
—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
In Havana, beggars are ubiquitous.
—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
Ria eventually uncovers a nefarious plot that beggars even euphemistic description in a spoiler-free universe.
—
Michael O'Sullivan,
Washington Post,
26 Apr. 2023
Iraq entered a long, grueling period of international sanctions that beggared its once robust middle class.
—
New York Times,
31 Dec. 2019
See All Example Sentences for beggar
Recent Examples of Synonyms for beggar
Noun
-
Per usual with movies like this, spelling out the terror (the roots are in hobo codes and religious legend) becomes, regrettably, a shock absorber, not a facilitator.
-
Schneider plays David, a reticent young man with the soulful-hobo air of a Beat poet, who makes a living as an events photographer but whose private passion is a secretive lifelong project, inherited from his father, documenting the changing Parisian suburbs.
Verb
-
Ironically, in Cuba, a country pauperized by a Marxist model for the past 61 years, there is a growing public cry demanding change.
Noun
-
Throughout much of Buddhist history, and particularly in Theravada Buddhist contexts, mindfulness and its associated meditation methods have been the purview of mendicants (monks and nuns), who used mindfulness meditation to achieve trance states (jhana) leading to nirvana.
-
An internationally famous leader who lived a mendicant’s life.
Verb
-
At the same time, serving your nation shouldn’t impoverish you or prevent your spouse or children from having a career or saving for retirement.
-
Uranium enrichment has impoverished national enrichment.
Noun
-
Cops have released photos of a suspect wanted for gunning down a panhandler inside a Manhattan 7-Eleven last week, in hopes someone recognizes him.
-
But in a plea reached in September, Alameda County prosecutors allowed Frederic, an Orlando resident, to plead no contest to a lesser offense of obstructing a public roadway, a misdemeanor count more typically associated with the prosecution of aggressive panhandlers.
Verb
-
The ruling was a victory for states, which said such claims could bankrupt them.
-
Most manufacturers were bankrupted by equipment failures and financial challenges, making the 1990s a tough time for wind power’s pioneers.
Noun
-
Designed with a plunging neckline, modest bum coverage, and compressive fabric with UPF 50 sun protection, the elegant silhouette offers rich-girl vacation energy that could easily double as a bodysuit with shorts.
-
For those caught unaware, the flies will also happily lay eggs in convenient openings such as the nose, mouth, ears, eyes, and even the bum, if available.
Verb
-
Porsha deflects, saying Drew ruined the mood.
-
Explosions had all but ruined my hearing.
Cite this Entry
“Beggar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beggar. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
