1
: one that begs (see beg entry 1 sense 1)
especially
: a person who lives by asking for gifts
2
: pauper
… this system only created beggars, completely dependent on outside help …—
Darcy Ribeiro
Darcy Ribeiro3
: fellow sense 4c
an unlucky beggar
beggared; beggaring
ˈbe-gə-riŋ 
Synonyms
Examples of beggar in a Sentence
Noun
I heard you won the contest! You lucky beggar!
the pitiful beggars that are such a common sight in underdeveloped countries
Verb
Years of civil war had beggared the country.
Recent Examples on the WebRyu Spaeth, Vulture, 4 June 2024
The beggar and the faun were the two figures damaged, President of the City of Fountains Foundation Mark McHenry said in an interview with The Star.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2024
Charlie Campbell, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Ria eventually uncovers a nefarious plot that beggars even euphemistic description in a spoiler-free universe.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for beggar 
Noun
Mark cries, referring to Lefebvre’s sketch of limbless beggars.
—Ryu Spaeth, Vulture, 4 June 2024
The beggar and the faun were the two figures damaged, President of the City of Fountains Foundation Mark McHenry said in an interview with The Star.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2024
Verb
The fact that not a single senior party official numbered among her copious conspirators beggars credulity.
—Charlie Campbell, TIME, 12 Apr. 2024
Ria eventually uncovers a nefarious plot that beggars even euphemistic description in a spoiler-free universe.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2023
See all Example Sentences for beggar
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beggar.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near beggar
Cite this Entry
“Beggar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beggar. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
beggar
2 of 2 verb
beggared; beggaring
ˈbeg-(ə-)riŋ
1
: to reduce to beggary
2
: to go beyond the ability of
the costumes almost beggar description
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