1
a
: lacking sufficient money or material possessions
too poor to buy new clothes
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty
a poor nation
2
a
: less than adequate : meager
a poor effort
poor attendance
b
: small in worth
3
: exciting pity
you poor thing
4
a
: inferior in quality or value
had poor language skills
b
6
: barren, unproductive
—used of land
7
: indifferent, unfavorable
had a poor opinion of them
a poor profession
8
: lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified
—often used in combination
oil-poor countries
poorness
noun
Examples of poor in a Sentence
We were too poor to buy new clothes.
The organization helps poor families.
She has a poor vocabulary.
It was a poor attempt at a joke.
He is in poor condition.
She couldn't read the sign because her vision was too poor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Thousands of immigrants are currently being detained in large detention centers where detainees, lawyers and activists have alleged abuse and poor conditions.
—
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
The weather service advised that people who want to head to the mountains for Monday’s holiday, Washington’s Birthday also known as Presidents Day, should travel Sunday ahead of poor driving conditions.
—Emilie Stigliani, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
That people would look the other way because in this country there’s always in all things a difference between a poor man and a rich man.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Other common problems include equipment deterioration stemming from poor maintenance and erosion of wastewater holding ponds.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
The weather service advised that people who want to head to the mountains for Monday’s holiday, Washington’s Birthday also known as Presidents Day, should travel Sunday ahead of poor driving conditions.
—Emilie Stigliani, Sacbee.com, 15 Feb. 2026
That people would look the other way because in this country there’s always in all things a difference between a poor man and a rich man.
—Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 15 Feb. 2026
Other common problems include equipment deterioration stemming from poor maintenance and erosion of wastewater holding ponds.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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