poverty line

NOUN

poverty level

Synonyms

WEAK

bare existence breadline hand-to-mouth existence mere existence pauperism poverty trap subsistence level

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.

That’s a relative term, and it’s obviously a separate concept from those living on the poverty line.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

The district also has the highest poverty rate in the city, with 42% of people living below the poverty line, according to the 2020 Census.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Around half of the population of the oil-rich country lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Even before a years-long economic crisis began in Lebanon in 2019, more than half of the city's residents lived at or below the poverty line, according to the United Nations.

From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026

Over half of the eight thousand residents lived below the poverty line.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore