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

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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.
Across the Americas – the most murderous region in the world – the average life expectancy of a trans woman is just 35 years old, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which attributes the frequency of early death to compounding violence, poverty and social exclusion. — Ladan Anoushfar, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025 The President’s Cake, from a multiple award winner at Cannes, Iraqi filmmaker Hasan Hadi, a heartbreaking and unforgettable look at a country crushed by poverty and international sanctions — and ruled by a sadistic, greedy and vain tyrant. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2025 Of course, Buckley was lying through his teeth: Almost half of all Black Americans were living in poverty. — Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025 On the other hand, ordinary poverty is arguably the greatest human threat, but energy poverty certainly contributes to this. — Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 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

Rhymes for poverty

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Browse Nearby Words

poverish
poverty
poverty grass
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Cite this Entry

“Poverty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty. Accessed 13 Aug. 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.com: Encyclopedia article about poverty

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