starvation

noun

star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce starvation (audio)
Synonyms of starvationnext
1
: the act or an instance of starving
2
: the state of being starved

Examples of starvation in a Sentence

The famine brought mass starvation. Millions of people face starvation every day.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here, starvation is a tool of war, one of the many tactics the militias use before flattening a town. — Janine Di Giovanni, Vanity Fair, 25 June 2026 In the case of massive grid sabotage, AI could compound the chaos and lead to a starvation of city-dwellers unthinkable in modern times. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Less than two years after an infant girl died of apparent starvation in Mesquite, the child's parents pleaded guilty to a lesser crime and received lengthy prison sentences. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 20 June 2026 Crazy Horse was killed in 1877, and starvation brought about the surrender of others in 1881. — ABC News, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for starvation

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of starvation was in 1762

Phrases Containing starvation

Rhymes for starvation

See All Rhymes for starvation

Browse Nearby Words

star turn
starvation
starvation diet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Starvation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/starvation. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

starvation

noun
star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce starvation (audio)
: the act or an instance of starving : the state of being starved

Medical Definition

starvation

noun
star·​va·​tion stär-ˈvā-shən How to pronounce starvation (audio)
1
: the act or an instance of starving
2
: the state of being starved
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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