1
a
: lacking material possessions
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty
2
a
: less than adequate : meager
b
: small in worth
3
: exciting pity
you poor thing
4
6
: barren, unproductive
—used of land
7
8
: lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified
—often used in combination
oil-poor countries
poorness
noun
Examples of poor in a Sentence
We were too poor to buy new clothes.
The organization helps poor families.
She has a poor vocabulary.
It was a poor attempt at a joke.
He is in poor condition.
She couldn't read the sign because her vision was too poor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Road conditions are rapidly deteriorating, with the percentage of roads in poor condition expected to double in two years.
—
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
But academic research has consistently demonstrated that stadiums are poor drivers of economic growth and an analysis published last month found stadium projects spur little growth in local construction industries.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
But nothing has come to fruition yet because Robert's poor play has tanked his trade value.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Then someone pointed a finger at a surprising culprit: the soldiers’ poor health.
—Maxim Sytch, Harvard Business Review, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
But academic research has consistently demonstrated that stadiums are poor drivers of economic growth and an analysis published last month found stadium projects spur little growth in local construction industries.
—Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
But nothing has come to fruition yet because Robert's poor play has tanked his trade value.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Then someone pointed a finger at a surprising culprit: the soldiers’ poor health.
—Maxim Sytch, Harvard Business Review, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poor
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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