poverty

noun

pov·​er·​ty ˈpä-vər-tē How to pronounce poverty (audio)
often attributive
Synonyms of povertynext
1
a
: the state of one who lacks a usual or socially acceptable amount of money or material possessions
b
: renunciation as a member of a religious order of the right as an individual to own property
2
: scarcity, dearth
3
a
: debility due to malnutrition
b
: lack of fertility

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
Choose the Right Synonym for poverty

poverty, indigence, penury, want, destitution mean the state of one with insufficient resources.

poverty may cover a range from extreme want of necessities to an absence of material comforts.

the extreme poverty of the slum dwellers

indigence implies seriously straitened circumstances.

the indigence of her years as a graduate student

penury suggests a cramping or oppressive lack of money.

a catastrophic illness that condemned them to years of penury

want and destitution imply extreme poverty that threatens life itself through starvation or exposure.

lived in a perpetual state of want
the widespread destitution in countries beset by famine

Examples of poverty in a Sentence

He was born in poverty. There is a poverty of information about the disease.
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.
Each job created represents stability for a family, hope for a neighborhood, and a step toward breaking cycles of poverty and violence. —Keith Howard, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025 Their bill prioritizes families making up to 300% of the federal poverty limit (roughly $93,600 for a family of four) for the first year. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 7 Feb. 2025 Today, the goals of the EITC also include poverty reduction. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 7 Feb. 2025 Fashion for Relief was founded by the British model in 2005, with the aim of raising funds for health, education and lifting people out of poverty. —Samantha Conti, WWD, 6 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for poverty 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English poverte, from Anglo-French poverté, from Latin paupertat-, paupertas, from pauper poor — more at poor

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of poverty was in the 12th century

Phrases Containing poverty

Dictionary Entries Near poverty

poverish

poverty

poverty grass

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Poverty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

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Kids Definition

poverty

noun
pov·​er·​ty ˈpäv-ərt-ē How to pronounce poverty (audio)
1
: the state of being poor : lack of money or possessions : want
2
: a small supply : dearth
a poverty of information about the new disease
3
: lack of fertility
poverty of the soil

Medical Definition

poverty

noun
pov·​er·​ty ˈpäv-ərt-ē How to pronounce poverty (audio)
plural poverties
: debility due to malnutrition
evidence of poverty in calves

More from Merriam-Webster on poverty

Nglish: Translation of poverty for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of poverty for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poverty

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