“Poor” does the job — but the right alternative does more. Here are 6 curated replacements, each with a definition, pronunciation, and an example of it working on the page.
Lacking the basic necessities of life; completely without resources.
“The destitute family huddled beneath a highway overpass, sharing a single threadbare blanket.”
Best for: Works well in formal writing, journalism, or when emphasizing total material deprivation.
Having little or no money; chronically short of funds.
“The impecunious artist sold his coat to buy one last tube of cadmium red.”
Best for: Ideal for literary or slightly wry, educated prose; carries a touch of irony.
Extremely poor, or marked by a severe lack of money and resources.
“Penurious and proud, she refused every coin pressed into her palm.”
Best for: Strong, slightly archaic tone; suits historical fiction or serious literary work.
Having no money at all, especially temporarily.
“He was completely broke after the gig, surviving on gas station coffee and optimism.”
Best for: Casual, punchy, and universally understood; great for dialogue or colloquial narrative.
Suffering from extreme poverty and lacking the means of subsistence.
“The clinic opened its doors to indigent patients who had nowhere else to turn.”
Best for: Common in legal, medical, or social policy contexts; formal and precise.
Lacking the basic necessities; in urgent want or need.
“The necessitous widow wrote letters to anyone she thought might help feed her children.”
Best for: Rare and largely archaic; suits historical prose or poetry for a distinctive, mournful tone.
Wordsmith finds six curated alternatives for any word — free to try.
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