1
as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
every year, we make up a basket of food at Thanksgiving for a poor family in the neighborhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
land that is too poor for farming
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scarce
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
a poor crop because of the drought this year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
a pretty poor musician, even for a garage band
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in terrible
of low quality
the poor workmanship of the goods from that store
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in pitiful
deserving of one's pity
aw, the poor kitten hurt its paw
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 poor
Low temps can affect plants in different ways that usually start with slowing a plant’s growth and metabolism and can zap any leaves — think of your poor herb garden.
—
Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
Charles and Camilla were supposed to pay a state visit to the Vatican in early April, but the trip was postponed over Pope Francis’ poor health.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Speaking to Variety, Meddour said the film will follow Bellaribi, charting her upbringing within a poor family of Algerian immigrants in the underprivileged suburb of Nanterre and being abandoned by her parents after an accident that left her seriously injured.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
Given that wind, gravity and air resistance all stand in the way of a bull’s-eye, the worms’ chances seem poor.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poor
Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 23 Oct. 2025
Charles and Camilla were supposed to pay a state visit to the Vatican in early April, but the trip was postponed over Pope Francis’ poor health.
—Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
Speaking to Variety, Meddour said the film will follow Bellaribi, charting her upbringing within a poor family of Algerian immigrants in the underprivileged suburb of Nanterre and being abandoned by her parents after an accident that left her seriously injured.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
Given that wind, gravity and air resistance all stand in the way of a bull’s-eye, the worms’ chances seem poor.
—Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poor
Adjective
-
The United Nations predicts the cost of reconstruction in the impoverished territory is a staggering $70 billion.—
NPR,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Set within the League of Legends universe, the Netflix series follows sisters Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell), who find themselves on opposite sides of a brewing war between the impoverished undercity of Zaun and the futuristic, wealthy city of Piltover.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
To find the killer, Sherlock Holmes and Watson will have to brave desolate moors before a family curse dooms the newest heirs.—
Meredith G. White,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
-
With its primary tenant away, the pro stadium here in central Japan was desolate outside.—
Brad Lefton,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Few dentists remain open in Gaza, and the materials for braces are scarce.—
Ghada Abdulfattah,
The Atlantic,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Public housing gets a rebrand As a nationwide housing shortage keeps affordable options scarce, an old idea is getting a new look.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The New York State GOP Executive Committee then voted unanimously to revoke the Young Republicans’ charter on October 17, 2025, citing mismanagement and condemning the language as unacceptable in the party or its affiliates.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Others are preaching patience, but acknowledge that the status quo is unacceptable.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Chapter narrators alternate between a homing pigeon and a soldier whose futures intersect in the most terrible of war offensives in France.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Sunday will also be Gabriel’s first NFL start in terrible weather.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Browns have scored the second-fewest points in the NFL, ahead of only the pitiful Tennessee Titans.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
-
On the side of the highway, Wilson cuts a pitiful, solitary figure.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Margaret Qualley, as the former A-lister's younger self, also goes for broke in a film that's a disturbing, hilarious and jaw-dropping hoot.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Businesses go broke, financial institutions fail and economic activity shrivels.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Where homes, buildings and fields once stood in the southern city of Rafah, there were now craters and barren wastelands.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Those who reached Spain were offered a place to rebuild their lives — on a small, barren island.—
Miquel Ros,
CNN Money,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poor. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share