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
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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
Carolina was a Black woman, poor, with very limited formal education, but extremely intelligent, a reader, and a writer.
—
Roberto Prieto, Variety, 26 May 2026
Sustained levels of hypervigilance take a physical toll that often goes unrecognized, contributing to everything from fatigue to poor academic performance and even chronic pain.
—Zoe Weissman, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
The data reveals that when digital systems misread user intent or provide poor explanations during an interaction, retention drops immediately.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
The comedic farce by Peter Quilter is based on Jenkins, an American socialite and amateur coloratura soprano who during the early 20th century was known for being flamboyant in attire and having a notably poor singing voice.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Roberto Prieto, Variety, 26 May 2026
Sustained levels of hypervigilance take a physical toll that often goes unrecognized, contributing to everything from fatigue to poor academic performance and even chronic pain.
—Zoe Weissman, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
The data reveals that when digital systems misread user intent or provide poor explanations during an interaction, retention drops immediately.
—Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
The comedic farce by Peter Quilter is based on Jenkins, an American socialite and amateur coloratura soprano who during the early 20th century was known for being flamboyant in attire and having a notably poor singing voice.
—Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poor
Adjective
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CalFresh is the state version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which sends an average $189 per month to low-income and impoverished Californians for food.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
26 May 2026
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Rubio said Cuba’s current crisis should be blamed on the military officials behind GAESA, which has ransacked the country’s revenue for their benefit, leaving most Cubans impoverished.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
Adjective
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Situated at the entrance of Harvard’s Enterprise Research Campus in Boston’s Allston neighborhood, The Atlas Hotel helps define what was long a desolate area as a true innovation district.—
Marni Elyse Katz,
Architectural Digest,
25 May 2026
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The delicate pitter-patter of a drum’s cymbal is the only sound to break through the thick brick wall of the obscure performance venue, Sun Space, and reach the wide, desolate Sunland Boulevard.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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For drinkers used to chasing impossibly scarce bottles, this bourbon lineup offers a certain clarity.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
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Detainees describe electric shocks, rubber bullets, exposure to cold, scarce food and water, and overflowing bathrooms at Israel’s Ktzi’ot prison.—
Mogomotsi Magome,
Los Angeles Times,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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What types of answers are unacceptable?—
Prasad Maderamitla,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
If a tool creates unacceptable risk, districts should not use it.—
Mercury News Editorial Board,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Mayor and Governor are terrible.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
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From scandals, to corny tactics and platforms, to terrible analysis, this gubernatorial race has been a contest to forget.—
Matt Fleming,
Oc Register,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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Chilling moments like this are the lifeblood of The Dreamed Adventure, the moments that recall the pitiful last days of the dying communist era and the violent, mafia-style economics that whooshed in to replace them.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
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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
Adjective
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And as for the financial motive that Kouri was broke?—
Natalie Morales,
CBS News,
24 May 2026
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In the 1940s, the company leading the mining operation went broke and filed for bankruptcy, and many residents moved on.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2026
Adjective
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The front of their single-story bungalow, though, remained a barren conundrum.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
-
Falling leaves or barren branches?—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poor. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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