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Definitions

pauper

[paw-per] / ˈpɔ pər /
NOUN
person who is poor
Synonyms
STRONG
bankrupt beggar bum dependent down-and-out have-not insolvent lazarus mendicant
WEAK
almsperson destitute homeless person in the gutter indigent poor person supplicant unhoused person
Antonyms
WEAK
rich wealthy

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.

A Nigerian mum might say: 'Do you want to live your life as a pauper forever?'

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2025

For most of human history, identity was ascribed at birth: pauper, peasant, preacher, princess.

From Slate • Aug. 3, 2024

Follow the adage "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper."

From Salon • Oct. 9, 2022

But if family didn’t exist or was unable to help, then the local parish could publicly auction the care of the pauper, or poor person.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 8, 2022

Deng Yi-yi, no longer dressed like a pauper, was smiling at us.

From "Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution" by Ji-li Jiang

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.