poor

adjective

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\ ˈpu̇r

, ˈpȯr

Definition of poor

1a : lacking material possessions

b : of, relating to, or characterized by poverty

2a : less than adequate : meager

b : small in worth

3 : exciting pity you poor thing

4a : inferior in quality or value

b : humble, unpretentious

c : mean, petty

5 : lean, emaciated

6 : barren, unproductive —used of land

7 : indifferent, unfavorable

8 : lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified —often used in combinationoil-poor countries

Other Words from poor Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about poor

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Examples of poor in a Sentence

We were too poor to buy new clothes. The organization helps poor families. She has a poor vocabulary. It was a poor attempt at a joke. He is in poor condition. She couldn't read the sign because her vision was too poor.

Recent Examples on the Web But the track record of bipartisan groupings of moderates in either the House or Senate in brokering major deals has been poor in recent years. — Erik Wasson, Bloomberg.com, "White House Signals Higher Stimulus Offer; Powell Urges More," 16 Sep. 2020 By cloaking the language of profit in the language of safety, these efforts are able to write out the poor and unhoused—those for whom the city is the most hostile and unsafe—from these most basic human identities. — Apoorva Tadepalli, The New Republic, "The Rhetorical Weapons of Liberal Nimbyism," 14 Sep. 2020 The economic crisis has also had a disproportionate effect on communities of color and the working poor, who have fewer resources to weather the downturn, Mr. Rodriguez said. — Joseph De Avila, WSJ, "Covid-19 Hit This New Jersey County Hard. Now, Families Are Lining Up for Food.," 8 Sep. 2020 At the same time, the Church urged the wealthy to ensure their place in heaven by bequeathing their money to the poor—that is, to the Church, benefactor to the needy. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, "Why Is the West So Powerful—And So Peculiar?," 6 Sep. 2020 Boone, who died in August at age 76 after a stroke, derived deep satisfaction in standing up for the little guy — the poor, the overlooked of society. — Reid Forgrave, Star Tribune, "Craig Boone, who defended people who most needed it, dies at 76," 29 Aug. 2020 But people across the social spectrum enjoyed beer: rich and poor, male and female, young and old. — Tate Paulette, The Conversation, "Brewing Mesopotamian beer brings a sip of this vibrant ancient drinking culture back to life," 24 Aug. 2020 Simmons and Wesson returned repeatedly during our conversations to South Dallas’ poor -- or nonexistent -- internet service. — Sharon Grigsby, Dallas News, "Miracle-working church serves as clinic, pantry and laundry for Dallas neighborhoods hard hit by COVID," 20 Aug. 2020 While the health care system has grown and changed for the better in Southeast San Diego over the years, the 67-year-old said there is still work to be done to fully support those who are poor, Black or from another community of color. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Focus turns to inequities in diabetes care in Black community," 18 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'poor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.