as in hunger
suffering or death caused by having nothing to eat or not enough to eat; the condition of someone who is starving
The famine brought mass starvation. Millions of people face starvation every day. They died from starvation.
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Recent Examples of starvation
In an interview with the Miami Herald, David and Ariel described two long years marked by starvation, isolation and psychological abuse.
—
Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Nine in the bay were killed by ship strikes last year while another 12 appear to have died of starvation.
—David Helvarg, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Famine conditions in Gaza City have eased since the ceasefire began in October, but the situation remains critical, with the entire strip still at risk of starvation, according to a report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the world’s leading authority on food crises.
—Nick Duffy, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
By 1900, only a precious few Blackfeet had made it through the gantlet of smallpox, warfare, starvation, and Christianization.
—David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for starvation
Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
Nine in the bay were killed by ship strikes last year while another 12 appear to have died of starvation.
—David Helvarg, Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2026
Famine conditions in Gaza City have eased since the ceasefire began in October, but the situation remains critical, with the entire strip still at risk of starvation, according to a report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the world’s leading authority on food crises.
—Nick Duffy, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
By 1900, only a precious few Blackfeet had made it through the gantlet of smallpox, warfare, starvation, and Christianization.
—David Treuer, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for starvation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for starvation
Noun
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So while the hundo bond is an unusual offering with some ominous historical precedents (particularly in tech), there’s clearly some hunger for it.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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Androw, owner of E & D Pizza in Avon and a leader on the national pizza scene is known for using pizza for good causes from hunger to fulfilling the wishes of terminally ill children.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In a report released Thursday, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said famine was found in two more areas in the western region of Darfur where famine was confirmed for the first time in a displacement camp in August 2024.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
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The flood of immigrants who settled in the area were a motley crew – clannish Scandinavians, Germans, Irish Catholics escaping famine, Yankees from New England, Black refugees from the segregated South, Mexican workers seeking a better life.—
Harry Boyte,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Prevent malnutrition by regularly including lean meats, leafy greens, eggs, and dairy in their diet to support growth spurts.—
William Jones,
Ascend Agency,
10 Feb. 2026
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The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report said famine-level malnutrition has been registered in the towns of Umm Baru and Kernoi in North Darfur province.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Starvation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/starvation. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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