1
as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
every year, we make up a basket of food at Thanksgiving for a poor family in the neighborhood
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
land that is too poor for farming
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scarce
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable
a poor crop because of the drought this year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
a pretty poor musician, even for a garage band
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in terrible
of low quality
the poor workmanship of the goods from that store
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in pitiful
deserving of one's pity
aw, the poor kitten hurt its paw
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poor
These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.
—
Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 19 May 2026
New research from Thomas Jefferson University could identify a new way to improve poor sleep and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease — and fruit flies are at the center of the study.
—Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Even the wokest of the wokes are ignoring poor Megan.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Prosecutors say the network bribed Venezuelan officials to obtain contracts and then used shell companies, fake invoices and fraudulent shipping records to siphon off hundreds of millions of dollars intended to purchase food for poor Venezuelans.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 19 May 2026
New research from Thomas Jefferson University could identify a new way to improve poor sleep and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease — and fruit flies are at the center of the study.
—Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Even the wokest of the wokes are ignoring poor Megan.
—Joe Kinsey Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
Prosecutors say the network bribed Venezuelan officials to obtain contracts and then used shell companies, fake invoices and fraudulent shipping records to siphon off hundreds of millions of dollars intended to purchase food for poor Venezuelans.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poor
Adjective
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The play’s focus is resolutely on the impoverished rural family of women who fall under this ambitious bluesman’s influence in the rural Georgia of the 1930s, writes Chris Jones.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
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This model is much less appealing to the impoverished governments, which sometimes struggle to pay their own troops.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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The delicate pitter-patter of a drum’s cymbal is the only sound to break through the thick brick wall of the obscure performance venue, Sun Space, and reach the wide, desolate Sunland Boulevard.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
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Earlier this week, along a desolate stretch of road lined with oil refineries just north of the border between Shandong and Hebei provinces, an awareness of that spotlight seemed palpable.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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What Foods Nesting Birds Need in Spring Black oil sunflower seed, safflower seed, cracked corn, and wild bird seed mixes are commonly placed in backyard bird feeders to feed birds in winter when other food sources are scarce.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 May 2026
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Most easily accessible by shelling tours or boat tours, Ten Thousand Islands is a good place to find the scarce Junonia shell, known as the Jewel of Florida, along with whole sand dollars, Florida spiny jewel boxes, and lightning whelks.—
Gabi De la Rosa,
Southern Living,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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For a city in the grip of a housing crisis, that delay was unacceptable.—
Michelle de la Uz,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2026
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Bans on unacceptable-risk AI have applied since February 2025, according to the European Commission.—
Chas Newkey-Burden,
TheWeek,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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Residents describe ‘a terrible night’ More than 30 people were injured in the apartment building collapse, while emergency workers rescued 28 residents, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
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And some were not kind to him on social media following the terrible first round.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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There’s a mentality problem — that’s highlighted by a pitiful return of just one point out of a possible 24 away from home this season against teams in the top nine.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
16 May 2026
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Will the harsh weather mean poor growth and pitiful harvests?—
Gemma Johnstone,
The Spruce,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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The two share an inquisitive and child-like energy, turning heavy conversations about growing up broke, the solitude of incarceration, and desperate cries for attention, into something remarkably light.—
Malina Saval,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
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On Monday, Pat Riley essentially said what’s broke should be fixed.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Seeking to eliminate Berber forces in the barren mountains of northern Morocco, seven soldiers obediently follow their fanatical sergeant (Víctor Clavijo) into barbarous depths of depravity.—
Ed Meza,
Variety,
16 May 2026
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Officials there have said that Iraqi army forces investigated reports of an unauthorized military force in the Nukhaib desert -- a barren area to the southwest of the cities of Karbala and Najaf -- in early March and came under fire while en route to the location.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poor. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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