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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
a pretty poor musician, even for a garage band
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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
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Recent Examples of poor
The number of adolescents reporting poor mental health is increasing, according to the CDC.
—
Emily Lawery, AJC.com, 12 May 2026
Why Sleep Tourism Is Growing The sleep retreat trend is tied directly to mounting research about how poor rest shapes daily life.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Segura’s appointment also followed a Times investigation into extreme heat’s deadly toll, which found that California chronically undercounts heat deaths, and that heat impacts disproportionately affect poorer neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Many French stars have come from this particular region of France, which is known as the mainland’s poorest.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Emily Lawery, AJC.com, 12 May 2026
Why Sleep Tourism Is Growing The sleep retreat trend is tied directly to mounting research about how poor rest shapes daily life.
—Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 12 May 2026
Segura’s appointment also followed a Times investigation into extreme heat’s deadly toll, which found that California chronically undercounts heat deaths, and that heat impacts disproportionately affect poorer neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Many French stars have come from this particular region of France, which is known as the mainland’s poorest.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poor
Adjective
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The play’s focus is resolutely on the impoverished rural family of women who fall under this ambitious bluesman’s influence in the rural Georgia of the 1930s, writes Chris Jones.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
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This model is much less appealing to the impoverished governments, which sometimes struggle to pay their own troops.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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On desolate rural strips or town squares, Mary is always the same.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 May 2026
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Considered ancient leftovers from the formation of our solar system, these desolate bodies don't meet the criteria to be considered planets.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Her time with him looked scarce.—
Sydney Lupkin,
NPR,
10 May 2026
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Because in a market like Orange County, where land is scarce and regulation is tight, the highest and best use is not always the newest building or the most polished project.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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For a city in the grip of a housing crisis, that delay was unacceptable.—
Michelle de la Uz,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2026
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Bans on unacceptable-risk AI have applied since February 2025, according to the European Commission.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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Residents describe ‘a terrible night’ More than 30 people were injured in the apartment building collapse, while emergency workers rescued 28 residents, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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And some were not kind to him on social media following the terrible first round.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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There’s a mentality problem — that’s highlighted by a pitiful return of just one point out of a possible 24 away from home this season against teams in the top nine.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
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Will the harsh weather mean poor growth and pitiful harvests?—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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The two share an inquisitive and child-like energy, turning heavy conversations about growing up broke, the solitude of incarceration, and desperate cries for attention, into something remarkably light.—
Malina Saval,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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On Monday, Pat Riley essentially said what’s broke should be fixed.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Seeking to eliminate Berber forces in the barren mountains of northern Morocco, seven soldiers obediently follow their fanatical sergeant (Víctor Clavijo) into barbarous depths of depravity.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
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Officials there have said that Iraqi army forces investigated reports of an unauthorized military force in the Nukhaib desert -- a barren area to the southwest of the cities of Karbala and Najaf -- in early March and came under fire while en route to the location.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poor. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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