indigence
Usage
What are other ways to say indigence?
Indigence denotes a severely impoverished condition marked by hardship and the lack of any of life’s comforts: reduced to a life of indigence. Destitution, a somewhat literary word, implies a state of having absolutely none of the necessities of life: widespread destitution in countries at war. Poverty denotes serious lack of the means for proper existence: living in a state of extreme poverty.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Reflecting on his upbringing, he recalled that he began to understand the realities of both injustice and indigence when his bicycle was stolen and his parents told him they could not afford to replace it.
From Washington Post • Feb. 8, 2022
Oetken said his ruling on Parnas’ indigence was in response to a letter from his lawyer stating he could no longer pay the costs of his defense.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 4, 2021
But once the month is over, broke Diana faces indigence back in England unless she’s rescued from destitution by true love.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2019
Exley's life of splendid indigence didn't change when his book met with wide acclaim.
From Slate • Aug. 10, 2015
It is a fine thing, reader, to be lifted in a moment from indigence to wealth—a very fine thing; but not a matter one can comprehend, or consequently enjoy, all at once.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
