Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

poverty

[pov-er-tee] / ˈpɒv ər ti /


Usage

What are other ways to say poverty? Poverty denotes serious lack of the means for proper existence: living in a state of extreme poverty. Destitution, a somewhat more literary word, implies a state of having absolutely none of the necessities of life: widespread destitution in countries at war. Indigence denotes a severely impoverished condition marked by hardship and the lack of any of life’s comforts: reduced to a life of indigence.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

What seems more likely is what the Southern Poverty Law Center has said, which is, “We pay informants to do this.”

From Slate • May 4, 2026

Neither the Southern Poverty Law Center nor the Department of Justice responded to requests for comment.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Poverty is making people sick, and affordability is the foundation upon which we can build healthier communities.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

In the Child Poverty Strategy, we set out our commitment to do everything we can to eradicate unsuitable or poor-quality accommodation and ensure children in temporary accommodation do not experience gaps in health care provision.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Poverty hurt, and that was their first reason for leaving.

From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston




Vocabulary lists containing poverty


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "poverty" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com