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.

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

The World Bank estimates that almost 40% of Angolans could be living below the international poverty line of $3 per day.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Guinea is rich in minerals, but more than half of its inhabitants live below the poverty line, according to World Bank figures for 2024.

From Barron's • Dec. 28, 2025

In the Slate Plus episode: The hot take that started it all: the $140,000 poverty line.

From Slate • Dec. 27, 2025

Now say you have a black guy—not Justyce, but someone else—whose single parent’s income falls beneath the poverty line.

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone