UNPRIVILEGED Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

unprivileged

adjective

Definition of unprivileged

as in needy

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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 unprivileged The researchers demonstrate how an unprivileged remote attacker can then recover secrets stored in Gmail, Amazon, and Reddit when the target is authenticated. — Ars Technica, 28 Jan. 2025 Judge David Carter of the District Court for the Central District of California ordered Eastman to begin reviewing at least 1,500 pages per business day starting on Friday, and immediately transfer any unprivileged documents to the committee. — Grace Segers, The New Republic, 28 Jan. 2022 Who is really the fraud, the empty-headed playboy who gets by on connections and unearned income, or the unprivileged striver? — Megan O’Grady, New York Times, 12 Nov. 2020

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unprivileged

Adjective

Means testing would also target funds to needy families that struggle to matriculate to higher or professional education.

— John Ketcham, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Howl’s needy nature led to one of Ly’s favorite videos, another captured in the spur of the moment during a hectic packing session.

— Pat Mueller, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of needy

Adjective

My opponent’s work is limited to representing indigent clients in mental health court.

— Jacob M. Noble, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026
Powell, who was indigent and could not afford an attorney, wrote his own motions to the court six times in the ensuing years, trying multiple routes to overturn his conviction or at least reduce his prison time.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 26 June 2026

Definition of indigent

Adjective

While in the city, Diana met AIDS patients at a hospital in Harlem, went to the famous toy store FAO Schwarz, visited with underprivileged children, and attended a gala dinner.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 21 July 2026
Funds have also been raised to send underprivileged children to different day camps, and a scholarship has been established at her theater group, Lindsey says.

— Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

Definition of underprivileged

Adjective

Since then, the military have kept her exact whereabouts and condition secret as a deadly civil war has engulfed much of the impoverished Southeast Asian nation.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
But for those who don’t see the unhoused, impoverished or vulnerable as human, deserving of rights or even life, Heimbach has some advice.

— Trevor Morgan, Sacbee.com, 24 July 2026

Definition of impoverished

Adjective

Advocates viewed Baker’s proposal as weaker on broadband access provisions too, including commitments to provide low-cost internet for disadvantaged residents and communities that lack service.

— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026
The findings also revealed that the most socially and economically disadvantaged areas benefit the most from green spaces.

— Tara Molina, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of disadvantaged

Adjective

Traumatized into silence, the de facto orphan stays living with the kindly but guilt-ridden, grieving and impecunious Hiroshi.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 12 June 2026
Since then, it has been performed across much of the world, being ideally suited to these impecunious times and very masterfully written.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026

Definition of impecunious

Adjective

In the summer of 1927 three young men of means ran into a neighbor from back home in Winnetka, Illinois, on the streets of Paris, who was stranded with a penniless delegation of labor leaders and educators intended for Moscow.

— Dan Chiasson, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 2026
Irene has blackmailed the Bohemian royal family, Carrie is a thief who has stolen rare stamps from a penniless woman unaware of their value, and Fanny disguises as a man to gain access to a bank vault.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 July 2026

Definition of penniless

Adjective

The Hersheys chose this mission at a time when caring for orphans and children in destitute families in institutional settings was still the norm.

— Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
The workers on the platform were Asian, black, Houma Indian, a few destitute Cadiens.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

Definition of destitute

Browse Nearby Words

unprintable

unprivileged

unproblematic

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“Unprivileged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unprivileged. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of unprivileged

adjective

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