POVERTY-STRICKEN Synonyms: 64 Similar and Opposite Words

poverty-stricken

adjective

ˈpä-vər-tē-ˌstri-kən

Definition of poverty-stricken

as in impoverished

lacking money or material possessions poverty-stricken immigrants struggling to make ends meet

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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.

Recent Examples of poverty-stricken The family was poverty-stricken, living in a small apartment. — Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 May 2026 During and after the Great Depression, the Tennessee Valley Authority built dozens of hydroelectric dams, bringing electricity and flood control to the most remote and poverty-stricken hollows of Appalachia. — Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2025 That’s a long way from living in motels and stealing steaks from grocery stores during his more humble days of being poverty-stricken. — Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 28 Feb. 2025 At the time, Whitechapel was poverty-stricken and overcrowded, with over 76,000 people populating its dilapidated avenues and dwellings. — Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024

Recent Examples of Synonyms for poverty-stricken

Adjective

But perhaps the most impressive thing the seemingly tireless Parton did during her 80 years was donate much of her wealth to impoverished communities.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
The loosened restrictions will not empower Washington to pursue investment and economic cooperation with al Sharaa’s government, which could transform the impoverished country.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of impoverished

Adjective

Dozens of companies have withdrawn over the past decades due to poor profits, an uncertain business outlook and concerns about harm to their reputations from making arms, especially lethal weapons.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

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poverty

poverty-stricken

powder

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“Poverty-stricken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poverty-stricken. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of poverty-stricken

adjective

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