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.

Successful models can earn tens of thousands of dollars in a season, a life-changing amount in South Sudan where 92 percent live under the poverty line.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

The United Nations says 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

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

From Slate • Dec. 27, 2025

Many of the families live or work in or near the Vermont Vista neighborhood, where more than a quarter of residents live below the poverty line, according to 2023 census data.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

Having stumbled upon a tolerable career, for the first time in my life I was actually living above the poverty line.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer