1
as in misery
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
he dreamed of finding a good job and working his way out of poverty and debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
a poverty of information about the new policies
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poverty
Some of the world's wealthiest countries fund programs in low and middle income countries that aim to address poverty and access to education.
—
Fatma Tanis, NPR, 26 June 2025
Scott is also part of The Giving Pledge, founded by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates to fund groups working on issues such as poverty alleviation, refugee aid, disaster relief, global health and education.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 25 June 2025
After adjusting for age, race and poverty status, the study found a BMI that labeled someone as obese was not associated with a statistically significant higher risk of death from any cause, when compared with those in healthy BMI range.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
The researchers also compiled data on four key negative social conditions – corruption, inequality, poverty and violence – of 183 countries and all 50 US states, going back 20 years to see if there was a connection.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for poverty
Fatma Tanis, NPR, 26 June 2025
Scott is also part of The Giving Pledge, founded by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates to fund groups working on issues such as poverty alleviation, refugee aid, disaster relief, global health and education.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 25 June 2025
After adjusting for age, race and poverty status, the study found a BMI that labeled someone as obese was not associated with a statistically significant higher risk of death from any cause, when compared with those in healthy BMI range.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 24 June 2025
The researchers also compiled data on four key negative social conditions – corruption, inequality, poverty and violence – of 183 countries and all 50 US states, going back 20 years to see if there was a connection.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for poverty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poverty
Noun
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Humidity is adding to the misery Oppressive humidity is accompanying the heat wave, according to Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman.—
Doyle Rice,
USA Today,
25 June 2025
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Cuomo, age 67 and one of the last powerful men to succumb to the #MeToo movement, is an unlikely standard-bearer for a Democratic Party desperate to move on from the miseries of the past decade, but New York politics isn’t famous for its uncomplicated options.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
17 June 2025
Noun
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To address the critical worker shortage, Massachusetts must prioritize benefits and training and improve pay for DSPs.—
Brian Cusack,
Boston Herald,
25 June 2025
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There is a growing shortage of drivers, rising costs, and relentless demand for faster deliveries.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Curbing your food spending is a good practice year round, but when economic times become uncertain, saving on your grocery bill becomes a necessity.—
Kristine Gill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 June 2025
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While Joshua strengthens his neck muscles (a necessity for Formula One drivers) with high-end workout equipment, Sonny simply leans his head against the hard edge of a bed in his room.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Overnight low temperatures are rising nearly twice as fast as afternoon highs, and this lack of relief during the night poses a significant health risk -- particularly for those without access to air conditioning, according to the assessment.—
Matthew Glasser,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
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Reports have also indicated that Watt is upset with the organization over a lack of a deal, which could lead to a split.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Noun
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All the hallmarks of American poverty — bad food, obesity and urban blight — coalesced in an apocalyptic scene of destitution and vagrancy.—
Andrew Moore,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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That means at least one in five people or households severely lack food and face starvation and destitution.—
Edith M. Lederer,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Grassley cited a Government Accountability Office report issued last year that detailed deficiencies in the program’s management dating back to 2009.—
Ryan J. Foley,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Studies show that patients not meeting the diagnostic criteria for testosterone deficiency are still being prescribed testosterone therapy, often based on vague symptoms.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
24 June 2025
Noun
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According to one 2019 study published in the journal Sleep, moms and dads can expect to experience some form of sleep deprivation for the first six years of their child's life.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
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The animals’ skulls are later surgically opened, electrodes are implanted into their brains, and researchers show them visual stimuli (images of faces, for example) to examine how the sensory deprivation or other visual manipulations affected their neurodevelopment.—
Marina Bolotnikova,
Vox,
18 June 2025
Noun
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Complicating matters is that the Congressional Budget Office said the Senate version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will add some $3.3 trillion to deficits over the next decade, which the House Freedom Caucus said violates the cost-cutting agreements in the budget framework.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
29 June 2025
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The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the legislation would increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion over the next decade.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
29 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poverty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poverty. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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