as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
there are various state and federal programs to help relieve indigence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 indigence
His legal team also filed a separate motion requesting a public defender be assigned to his case, citing indigence.
—
Jessica Sager, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
The ceaseless movement of staff around the world compounds this nebulous sensation of perpetual indigence.
—Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Splendor and indigence are equally familiar to him; prudence and shame are equally alien.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022
Black and Hispanic Americans escaped indigence in record numbers.
—Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2022
His children, three former child prodigies, are to blame for his financial indigence.
—CNN, 13 Dec. 2021
The Misses Arkell had been prepared, as the Professor put it, to minister to his spiritual indigence; but while there was much to be done in the way of instruction, they were reluctantly obliged to admit that exhortation and admonition were superfluous.
—Edith Wharton, The Atlantic, 9 Nov. 2020
Jessica Sager, People.com, 8 Mar. 2025
The ceaseless movement of staff around the world compounds this nebulous sensation of perpetual indigence.
—Nick Foulkes, theweek, 7 Nov. 2024
Splendor and indigence are equally familiar to him; prudence and shame are equally alien.
—Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022
Black and Hispanic Americans escaped indigence in record numbers.
—Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2022
His children, three former child prodigies, are to blame for his financial indigence.
—CNN, 13 Dec. 2021
The Misses Arkell had been prepared, as the Professor put it, to minister to his spiritual indigence; but while there was much to be done in the way of instruction, they were reluctantly obliged to admit that exhortation and admonition were superfluous.
—Edith Wharton, The Atlantic, 9 Nov. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indigence
Noun
-
Also, unfavorable factors are the extension price tag that can top tens of billions of dollars annually, and eligibility that includes those making 400% the poverty rate.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Why are more seniors falling into poverty?—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Separately, Biden thrice designated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status in the aftermath of the murder of President Jovenel Moise, a devastating earthquake, mass internal displacement, widespread gang violence, chronic hunger and extreme impoverishment.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Though very little information from the isolated nation reaches the outside world now, reports indicate severe impoverishment and malnourishment throughout much of the country.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
1 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indigence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/indigence. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share