underprivileged

adjective

un·​der·​priv·​i·​leged ˌən-dər-ˈpriv-lijd How to pronounce underprivileged (audio)
-ˈpri-və-
Synonyms of underprivilegednext
1
: deprived through social or economic condition of some of the fundamental rights of all members of a civilized society
2
: of or relating to underprivileged people
underprivileged areas of the city

Examples of underprivileged in a Sentence

an organization that distributes free books to underprivileged children
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.
Alchemist Community Development Corporation has won a $100,000 grant to fund free field trips for children from underprivileged schools to the Thursday Florin Farmers Market. Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 6 Feb. 2026 Oscar, meanwhile, his idealism reawakened, sees an opportunity for an underprivileged kid with raw talent to escape her meager existence. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026 Rizzs and Henderson, the former outfielder, founded a charity in 1995 that has provided new toys at the holidays for 360,000 underprivileged children in the Pacific Northwest. Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 27 Jan. 2026 Spending $6 million to develop soccer programs in underprivileged communities. Marcia Kramer, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for underprivileged

Word History

First Known Use

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of underprivileged was in 1896

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Cite this Entry

“Underprivileged.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/underprivileged. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

underprivileged

adjective
un·​der·​priv·​i·​leged -ˈpriv-(ə-)lijd How to pronounce underprivileged (audio)
: having fewer privileges than others : poor

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