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
The program’s meal distribution in northern Gaza, the epicenter of the Strip’s starvation, began only about two weeks into the cease-fire, Penner said.
—
Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
But when they were forced to retreat, harsh winter conditions, starvation and disease decimated the invaders.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025
Zinna died of thirst and starvation, but the day would never be determined.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
International aid efforts must reverse and extinguish starvation; restore fully functional health and sanitation services throughout the territory; and ensure that Gazans have access to clean water and safe shelter.
—Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for starvation
Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
But when they were forced to retreat, harsh winter conditions, starvation and disease decimated the invaders.
—Andrea Tamayo, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2025
Zinna died of thirst and starvation, but the day would never be determined.
—Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
International aid efforts must reverse and extinguish starvation; restore fully functional health and sanitation services throughout the territory; and ensure that Gazans have access to clean water and safe shelter.
—Jeremy Konyndyk, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for starvation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starvation
Noun
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Beat Afternoon Hunger Chia seeds make a satisfying midday snack when hunger hits.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
7 Nov. 2025
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About one out of every seven California residents depends on CalFresh — the state’s branding for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — to stave off hunger.—
JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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These are among the many questions posed by Simon Morrison’s sprawling biography of place, which seeks to understand a nation through the life of its largest city, tracing Moscow’s evolution via dozens of historical upheavals, from war, famine, drought, and much, much more.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
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The dinner table isn’t the only place feeling the feta famine.—
Margaux Anbouba,
Vogue,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Many suffer from malnutrition and avoidable infectious diseases.—
Saumya Roy,
The Dial,
6 Jan. 2026
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Shortages of food, once guaranteed by a government rationing system, are threatening to push millions of Cubans closer to malnutrition.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starvation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starvation. Accessed 9 Jan. 2026.
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