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 incredible work Himmah does to address food insecurity, poverty, and social exclusion should be recognised and applauded. Simon Perry, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025 After the federal No Child Left Behind Act passed in 2001 and schools in some high-poverty areas did not perform well on annual standardized tests, many were labeled failing and in need of drastic reforms. Mila Koumpilova, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025 The agency defines poverty for a family of four as income below $31,000. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025 However, wages remain low and prices and poverty high. Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for poverty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poverty
Noun
  • The Industrial Revolution brought widespread misery in the form of brutal factory working conditions.
    P.E. Moskowitz September 11, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The era [or error] is close to an end, so do your best to enjoy the final moments, recall all the good times before misery and depression sets in.
    Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack shut down the largest refined products pipeline in the United States for several days, creating fuel shortages and demonstrating how OT disruptions cascade through the economy.
    Bob Ackerman, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • In a decade that some critics believe has a shortage of newness and invention, slop is one of the few frontiers that’s actively being pushed.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • However, from a political standpoint, necessity may not have been the primary concern.
    Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Those already inside the gate stayed close to camp out of necessity, while those still outside were stuck in their vehicles — some for up to 20 hours — in the infamous one-lane traffic jam into Black Rock City (BRC).
    Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s encouragement of Walker was enough to spur him into the race, though Republicans as a whole were hesitant, given Walker’s lack of experience and standing as an unknown quantity among GOP voters.
    Kimberly Ross, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Traditional data lakes can store raw data at scale but lack quality controls, while warehouses enforce structure but struggle with unstructured or fast changing data.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Eventually, however, even Gabriel’s innocence is beaten down by his life of destitution.
    Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Families face catastrophic conditions More than half a million people in Gaza are trapped in famine, marked by widespread starvation, destitution and preventable deaths, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, released today.
    Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Maasai had vitamin A and C deficiencies due to meat and dairy exclusivity.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • B vitamins have been reported to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and depression associated with vitamin B12 deficiency.
    Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Treating insomnia symptoms could very well soften the negative effects of sleep deprivation on the brain.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Under state law, the lawsuit also brings forward allegations of assault and battery, liberty deprivation/false imprisonment, invasion of privacy and negligent training, supervision and retention.
    Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Buffeted by rising costs, declining enrollment and state aid that has not kept pace with inflation, the district started the year with a $51 million budget deficit and is spending down reserves and cutting into programs to close the gap.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
  • While winning the Super Bowl is incredibly difficult, even making the playoffs can be a daunting task when starting from a deficit.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Poverty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poverty. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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