as in hunger
suffering or death caused by having nothing to eat or not enough to eat; the condition of someone who is starving
The famine brought mass starvation. Millions of people face starvation every day. They died from starvation.
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Recent Examples of starvation
For example, drought often concentrates elephants around water and food sources, such as watering holes, where those sick or weakened by starvation are more likely to succumb to the harsh weather conditions, poor water quality, or predators who have taken notice of the herd’s behavior.
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Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 June 2026
Kyng's death was caused by child abuse, including blunt force trauma and neglect with starvation and dehydration, prosecutors allege.
—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Higher-level inmates gorge themselves; those below face starvation, suicide or cannibalism – a brutal metaphor for the world’s food chain.
—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
12 June 2026
The report is the latest from the world body, which last year accused Israel of committing genocide, using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza and of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank — allegations that Israel strenuously denies.
—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for starvation
Encyclopedia Britannica,
18 June 2026
Kyng's death was caused by child abuse, including blunt force trauma and neglect with starvation and dehydration, prosecutors allege.
—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
17 June 2026
Higher-level inmates gorge themselves; those below face starvation, suicide or cannibalism – a brutal metaphor for the world’s food chain.
—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
12 June 2026
The report is the latest from the world body, which last year accused Israel of committing genocide, using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza and of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank — allegations that Israel strenuously denies.
—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for starvation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starvation
Noun
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The state also ranks fourth in the nation for childhood poverty and hunger, according to Katie Ruth Camp, the organization's vice president of marketing and public relations.
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Feeling comfortably full may help prevent waking up from hunger in the middle of the night.
Noun
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The result is an epidemic of solitude, if not loneliness; a dramatic drop in fertility; and a romantic famine across North and South America, Europe, and China.
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About 26 million people are facing food insecurity and imminent famine has been flagged in several areas of Darfur.
Noun
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This catastrophe severely exacerbates Venezuela's existing economic crisis and political turmoil, leaving children facing extreme deprivation, malnutrition, and disease.
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The outlet also reported that Chase had been admitted to a Los Angeles hospital earlier this month for malnutrition.
Cite this Entry
“Starvation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starvation. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
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