poverty-stricken

[pov-er-tee-strik-uhn] / ˈpɒv ər tiˌstrɪk ən /

ADJECTIVE

very poor

Synonyms

STRONGEST

destitute distressed impoverished indigent needy poor strapped

WEAK

bad off bankrupt beggared beggarly broke dirt poor down-and-out hard up impencunious in dire circumstances in great need in want miserably poor moneyless necessitous needful penniless penurious short stone broke stranded suffering unmoneyed wanting

Antonyms

STRONGEST

affluent happy lucky 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.

The recording has spread widely on social media and caused a strong reaction in oil-rich but poverty-stricken Equatorial Guinea, ruled by Obiang for over 40 years.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

I think if you take a camera into any rural area or area that's poverty-stricken, it's not gonna look pretty, but somehow we were special.

From Salon • May 19, 2024

Such vilification is proved off the mark by the fact that poverty-stricken Mississippi has relatively few homeless people.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2024

He quit the band and was baptised in the River Jordan, then travelled to poverty-stricken areas of India to build orphanages.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2023

Until 1996, there was a basic understanding that poverty-stricken mothers raising children should be afforded some minimal level of assistance with food and shelter.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

poverty-stricken

Example Sentences

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