1
as in misery
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
he dreamed of finding a good job and working his way out of poverty and debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
a poverty of information about the new policies
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 poverty
In fact, the decrease in child poverty from 2020 to 2021 represented the largest single-year decline in child poverty on record.
—
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Older immigrants reportedly face a 21.7% poverty rate, which is nearly 7% higher than what U.S. natives in New York City experience.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
Some boys have been affected more than others — the outcomes for Black boys are worse, and growing up in poverty disproportionately hurts boys.
—Claire Cain Miller, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Children in our country are already dying from the effects of poverty.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for poverty
Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025
Older immigrants reportedly face a 21.7% poverty rate, which is nearly 7% higher than what U.S. natives in New York City experience.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 May 2025
Some boys have been affected more than others — the outcomes for Black boys are worse, and growing up in poverty disproportionately hurts boys.
—Claire Cain Miller, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Children in our country are already dying from the effects of poverty.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for poverty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poverty
Noun
-
The Best Clothing Box Photograph: Stitch Fix Stitch Fix Kids Clothes Box $16 Stitch Fix As my kids have gotten older, shopping for their clothes has become a misery.—
Adrienne So,
Wired News,
17 May 2025
-
The value of the Syrian currency plummeted during the civil war years, adding to the misery.—
Raja Abdulrahim,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
In their open letter this spring, former weather service directors warned that severe staffing shortages at local weather service offices could lead to less accurate and detailed forecasts this summer.—
Rebecca Hersher,
NPR,
19 May 2025
-
The Philadelphia air traffic control facility that handles flights at Newark is also experiencing a staffing shortage.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
19 May 2025
Noun
-
Even so, the reset look on the man who’s become the face of the NFL makes a fine symbol for a broader fresh start — a necessity in sharp contrast to where the Chiefs stood this time last offseason.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
-
These minimalist gloves are available in two go-with-everything shades—classic black and soft cream—and have a modern, low-profile fit that looks more like an intentional accessory than a skin-care necessity.—
Marie Lodi,
Allure,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
But by his second trip in April, Trump's dream appeared to be on hold as Israel resumed attacks in Gaza, and the two men indicated a lack of alignment on a number of issues, including how to proceed on nuclear talks with Tehran.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 May 2025
-
The defendants insisted there was no conspiracy and that NASL’s lack of recognition as a D1 or D2 league reflected its failure to meet objective metrics, including minimum stadium seating capacity, number of teams and time zone coverage.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
13 May 2025
Noun
-
The latest estimates, as of August 2021, put the value of Russia’s National Wealth Fund at about $185 billion and its foreign currency reserves at $615 billion—hardly a picture of destitution.—
Michael Kofman,
Foreign Affairs,
19 Oct. 2021
-
Between 1820 and 1845, the number of weavers plummeted from two hundred and forty thousand to sixty thousand, as many faced destitution.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Ultimately, the expedition’s failure likely came down to a combination of factors, including dietary deficiencies, hubris and simple bad luck.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
-
The absence of the 10 men, who also utilized facility deficiencies that officials have long complained about in their escape, went unnoticed for hours.—
Jack Brook,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
Doughty was sentenced to two years probation after pleading guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2025
-
Earlier this year, a jury found Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Trevor Kirk guilty of felony deprivation of rights by use of excessive force.—
Mike Fox,
Oc Register,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
Instead, the Knicks fell to a 2-0 series deficit after losing to the Pacers by a final score of 114-109.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 May 2025
-
Investors worry that the more than 1,000-page bill will lead to a sharply wider deficit.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poverty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poverty. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share