Definition of povertynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word poverty distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of poverty are destitution, indigence, penury, and want. While all these words mean "the state of one with insufficient resources," poverty may cover a range from extreme want of necessities to an absence of material comforts.

the extreme poverty of the slum dwellers

Where would indigence be a reasonable alternative to poverty?

Although the words indigence and poverty have much in common, indigence implies seriously straitened circumstances.

the indigence of her years as a graduate student

When would penury be a good substitute for poverty?

The words penury and poverty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, penury suggests a cramping or oppressive lack of money.

a catastrophic illness that condemned them to years of penury

How do want and destitution relate to one another, in the sense of poverty?

Both want and destitution imply extreme poverty that threatens life itself through starvation or exposure.

lived in a perpetual state of want
the widespread destitution in countries beset by famine

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 poverty The preamble to the Illinois Constitution tasks the state with some specific objectives — like eliminating poverty and inequality and ensuring legal, social and economic justice. Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2026 California, according to the state’s own Master Plan for Aging, has the second-highest rate of poverty among older adults in the country. Dwight Earl Williams, Oc Register, 4 June 2026 In fact, there are more children in poverty in Miami-Dade than 42 of Florida’s 67 counties combined. Sky Beard, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026 And then, within the subsequent season’s first two months, his team was repeatedly and consistently dog-walked by poverty franchises executing that exact blueprint. Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for poverty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poverty
Noun
  • Most Falcons fans know the misery of what 28-3 means without even going through the whole story behind it.
    AJC Sports, AJC.com, 11 June 2026
  • The Rays put the Red Sox out of their misery in two hours and 10 minutes.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Tony & Tara Eiguren The great potato capital has no shortage of great Basque food either, thanks to a hearty diaspora and community members like Tony and Tara Eiguren.
    Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026
  • Beyond the direct threat posed by drones, Russians are facing growing fuel shortages as Ukraine’s strikes on oil refineries limit supply.
    Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • Nearly a year ago, Estrella was found wandering alone on the streets of Denver without access to necessities, including fresh water.
    Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 12 June 2026
  • Councilmember Jordan Botta, who sponsored the bill, said the legislation was driven by years of hearing from tenants living without basic necessities like gas, water or reliable air conditioning.
    Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • Silva said the single most alarming aspect of the report was the lack of information available to emergency responders.
    Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 11 June 2026
  • The Mexican team’s lack of elite club experience, however, is obvious and could be a problem.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • When the family patriarch dies, Nicholas, his mother, and sister are thrown into financial destitution.
    Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Even longtime supporters from the Alawite religious minority—the sect to which the Assads belong—began to complain about their destitution.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • From a defensive standpoint, each element would be a plus-defender with the exception of Powell, which should make this lineup much easier to mask the deficiencies of a negative-defender, such as the ones with Herro.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 6 June 2026
  • Research suggests that some nutrient deficiencies are more common in people with diabetes.
    Brianna Tobritzhofer, Health, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • The Nazis wanted their victims to see only fear, deprivation and survival.
    Norman B. Gildin, Sun Sentinel, 9 June 2026
  • If hair loss is related to sleep deprivation, nutritional deficiency, or stress, those issues will need to be addressed.
    Jillian Pretzel, Parents, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • Ahead of the finish, Vegas continued its second-period dominance in the series, digging out of a 3-1 hole and making a bit of history in the process; for the first time in Stanley Cup Final history, four games have featured a team rallying from a multi-goal deficit to at least tie the game.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 10 June 2026
  • The Raiders kept the momentum firing in the bottom of the inning, cutting the deficit to two after Clements reached on an error, stole second, advanced to third on a groundout and scored after an errant throw following the groundout.
    Jack Murray, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Poverty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poverty. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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