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.
Jane comes from a background of poverty and has stayed in their hometown for the past 20 years, devoting herself to caregiving. —Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 25 July 2025 And according to Justice in Aging, Social Security lifts more than 22 million people out of poverty, including over 16 million older adults and almost 1 million children. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025 People who make less than 400% of the federal poverty level will still receive financial support, but it will be reduced. —Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2025 Nicole Lynn Lewis Founder of Generation Hope A former teen mom, Nicole Lynn Lewis, has dedicated her professional life to helping teenage parents attend college and breaking generational cycles of poverty. —Parents Editors, Parents, 22 July 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 30 Jul. 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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