1
as in misery
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
he dreamed of finding a good job and working his way out of poverty and debt
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
a poverty of information about the new policies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poverty
Each organization or business within the 200 acres works to support the community by such things as building affordable homes, eliminating concentrations of poverty, preventing displacement, and improving health and wellness services and resources.
—
Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2025
Although she’s presented as a deeply misguided character by Dickens—understandable given the levels of poverty in Britain at the time—in an age of greater global inequality, the priorities of Mrs. Jellyby would surely be viewed in a different light.
—Ben Brooks
july 17, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
Johnson, a longtime resident of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, which was deeply impacted by the pandemic crime spike, focused safety efforts on the 35 most violent police beats in the city, often characterized by the convergence of poverty, unemployment, and historic disinvestment.
—Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Today, residents of these neighborhoods — where historic redlining and unequal investment by city government have often occurred — are still statistically more likely to experience poverty, air pollution and deadly diseases like cancer.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for poverty
Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2025
Although she’s presented as a deeply misguided character by Dickens—understandable given the levels of poverty in Britain at the time—in an age of greater global inequality, the priorities of Mrs. Jellyby would surely be viewed in a different light.
—Ben Brooks
july 17, Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
Johnson, a longtime resident of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, which was deeply impacted by the pandemic crime spike, focused safety efforts on the 35 most violent police beats in the city, often characterized by the convergence of poverty, unemployment, and historic disinvestment.
—Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Today, residents of these neighborhoods — where historic redlining and unequal investment by city government have often occurred — are still statistically more likely to experience poverty, air pollution and deadly diseases like cancer.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for poverty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poverty
Noun
-
Their relative misery even exceeds that of the Afghans and Iraqis.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs, his big, ugly budget bill, and the havoc that his immigration raids are spreading in the vulnerable industries of agriculture, hospitality and construction will inflict misery on all but the wealthiest sectors of the economy.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 July 2025
Noun
-
It was further reported that The King’s Foundation brought in a specialist human resources consultancy, which upheld claims about staff shortages, inadequate management practices and low pay.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
31 July 2025
-
The reasons for the rapid decline in these industries include the shortage of younger generations that are willing to take over the labor-intensive family businesses and the increasing market competition against non-traditional food products.—
Akiko Katayama,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
Noun
-
HBCUs were founded out of necessity—as pathways for Black Americans to access higher education at a time when they were systematically excluded from white institutions due to segregation.—
Leadership Brainery,
Forbes.com,
4 Aug. 2025
-
This methodical approach means conflicts arise organically from the world’s internal logic rather than plot necessity.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The person denied being responsible for the noose, police said, noting that due to a lack of eyewitnesses and legal probable cause, no charges are expected against the person, who will not be allowed to return for any type of stadium construction.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 July 2025
-
Both actors, who have been previously married to other celebrities, have indicated a lack of interest in dating.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
24 July 2025
Noun
-
All the hallmarks of American poverty — bad food, obesity and urban blight — coalesced in an apocalyptic scene of destitution and vagrancy.—
Andrew Moore,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
-
That means at least one in five people or households severely lack food and face starvation and destitution.—
Edith M. Lederer,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Noun
-
Symptoms of severe protein deficiency can show up in the skin as well.—
Victoria Moorhouse,
Allure,
30 July 2025
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For me, my deficiencies showed up in my body as fatigue.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
26 July 2025
Noun
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This leads on to another societal challenge—addressing the issue of technological inequality and deprivation.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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How can Yuri know which of her family, friends and neighbors tells the truth, when the consequences can mean deprivation or jail?—
Jane Ciabattari
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
Noun
-
Yet deficits at the city, county and state, in addition to rapid changes in federal policy, have upended what funding service providers can rely on.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Our government has been running deficits for this entire century.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
3 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poverty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poverty. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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