have-not

noun

ˈhav-ˌnät How to pronounce have-not (audio)
-ˈnät
: one that is poor especially in material wealth

Examples of have-not in a Sentence

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.
In the newest from the author of These Violent Delights, two virtual nations are embroiled in a war between haves and have-nots. Rebecca Dazenbaker, People.com, 15 July 2025 To me, that shows the divide between the haves and have-nots in the NHL is only growing wider, and not many people really expect the contenders to disappoint (or at least, aren’t ready to predict it with any sort of confidence). The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 12 July 2025 Medicaid requirements yield a long-term care industry of haves and have-nots, according to Wettstein and others. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 6 July 2025 So that would be my biggest concern, is whether or not that financial gap between those that can afford it and those that can’t creates way too many haves and way too many have-nots. Mitch Light, New York Times, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for have-not

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of have-not was in 1836

Cite this Entry

“Have-not.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have-not. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

have-not

noun
ˈhav-ˌnät,
-ˈnät
: one that is poor in material wealth

More from Merriam-Webster on have-not

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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