poverty line

NOUN

poverty level

Synonyms

WEAK

bare existence breadline hand-to-mouth existence mere existence pauperism poverty trap subsistence level

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.

Around half of the population of the oil-rich country lives below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

The World Bank estimates that almost 40% of Angolans could be living below the international poverty line of $3 per day.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Successful models can earn tens of thousands of dollars in a season, a life-changing amount in South Sudan where 92 percent live under the poverty line.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

In the Slate Plus episode: The hot take that started it all: the $140,000 poverty line.

From Slate • Dec. 27, 2025

Over half of the eight thousand residents lived below the poverty line.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore