squalor

noun

squa·​lor ˈskwä-lər How to pronounce squalor (audio)
 also  ˈskwā-,
 or  ˈskwȯ-
: the quality or state of being squalid

Examples of squalor in a Sentence

The family was living in squalor. I was shocked by the squalor of their surroundings.
Recent Examples on the Web And those are the people living in squalor on the streets. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2024 But, like Hole in the Wall, J’s showed persistence in its squalor. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2024 As the world can see on cable and social media, 80% of Gaza’s 2.2 million people are now refugees living in squalor. Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2024 Residents there filed a lawsuit in 2022 accusing him of overcharging for rent while leaving the property in squalor. Christopher Weber, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2024 Even living in unimaginable squalor compared with today’s standards, Smith looked at the world and asked why some countries were wealthier than others. Dominic Pino, National Review, 15 Dec. 2023 In fact, The Gilded Age has to send George to Pittsburgh to meet Henderson’s cute little family in their domestic squalor in order to generate some sympathy for the union itself. Phillip MacIak, The New Republic, 1 Nov. 2023 So, just one year after Rebecca Crumpler's return to Boston, and now, heavy with child, in 1870, her husband, Arthur Crumpler, bought land out in the countryside, a buildable plot for a family home in Hyde Park, about 10 miles from the squalor of the city. Dominique Janee, Scientific American, 2 Nov. 2023 Additionally, the aging patriarch, hoarding his family’s wealth and forcing them into squalor for a chance at personal glory, can be seen as an allegory to Iran’s theocracy. Jon Gambrell, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from squalēre

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squalor was in 1621

Dictionary Entries Near squalor

Cite this Entry

“Squalor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squalor. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

squalor

noun
squa·​lor ˈskwäl-ər How to pronounce squalor (audio)
: filthy or degraded conditions resulting from neglect or lack of money
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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