BEGGAR Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

beggar 1 of 2

noun

ˈbe-gər

Definition of beggar

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

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beggar

2 of 2

verb

as in to pauperize

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

Noun

Home at Last Odysseus returned to Ithaca 20 years after his initial departure, disguised as a beggar. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026 In Homer’s Odyssey, Athena magically disguises Odysseus as an elderly man upon his return to Ithaca, rather than Odysseus simply dressing himself as a beggar. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

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

Add a slouchy hobo bag and Western belt at the waist for the full effect.

— Laura Jackson, Vogue, 17 Aug. 2026
The chocolate brown finish makes this hobo bag a fitting style for fall.

— Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of hobo

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.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
An internationally famous leader who lived a mendicant’s life.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

Definition of mendicant

Verb

There are some people who believe that new residents impoverish and take away from our quality of life and our schools.

— Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026
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.

— Jeff Horseman, Oc Register, 5 May 2026

Definition of impoverish

Noun

The 300 block of East Trade Street is frequented by patrons of public transportation, panhandlers and the thousands of fans attending events at the Spectrum Center.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2026
Some worry about robots replacing human jobs, even panhandlers.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of panhandler

Verb

Sometimes the very entities owning these hospitals and nursing homes are purposely bankrupting them, pillaging them of their value to maximize the owners’ profits.

— Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Tarwater has warned that the class-action lawsuit currently pending against Jackson County — with a settlement class including 200,000 homeowners — could bankrupt the county if paid out.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Definition of bankrupt

Noun

Within the often zany and slapstick realm of Bob’s Burgers, Tina still manages to steal the show with her singular voice, romantic fantasies, and obsessions with unicorns and boy bums.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026
Even then, and with Nix having a bum ankle to Mahomes’ bum knee, the Broncos have shown a lot more in the last year to inspire confidence than the Chiefs have.

— J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of bum

Verb

Before the attack, millions of books a year were printed in this space, where there’s now nothing but piles of swollen book stock, ruined after firefighters put out the blaze.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
But Timothy Leary’s version became the dominant idea of psychedelics, and when President Ronald Reagan’s War on Drugs began, psychedelics were vilified as the gateway to ruin.

— Claire Hoffman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of ruin

Browse Nearby Words

beg (for)

beggar

beggared

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Beggar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beggar. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of beggar

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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