1
a
: lacking material possessions
b
: of, relating to, or characterized by poverty
2
a
: less than adequate : meager
b
: small in worth
3
: exciting pity
you poor thing
4
6
: barren, unproductive
—used of land
7
8
: lacking a normal or adequate supply of something specified
—often used in combination
oil-poor countries
poorness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of poor in a Sentence
We were too poor to buy new clothes.
The organization helps poor families.
She has a poor vocabulary.
It was a poor attempt at a joke.
He is in poor condition.
She couldn't read the sign because her vision was too poor.
Recent Examples on the Web
That includes average car and truck owners who have had good and poor experiences with the system.
—
Matthew Dolan, Detroit Free Press, 17 Aug. 2024
The list includes nations large and small, rich and poor, mighty and meek, industrial and agrarian, developed and undeveloped, diverse and homogeneous, well established and newly or recently created.
—Eli Amdur, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024
While sometimes bleeding into the skin heals on its own, persistent or worsening symptoms might suggest a more serious problem or be worsened by factors like poor circulation, chronic diseases, or certain medications.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024
Delon had been battling poor health in recent years and suffered a stroke in 2019.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 18 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poor 
Matthew Dolan, Detroit Free Press, 17 Aug. 2024
The list includes nations large and small, rich and poor, mighty and meek, industrial and agrarian, developed and undeveloped, diverse and homogeneous, well established and newly or recently created.
—Eli Amdur, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024
While sometimes bleeding into the skin heals on its own, persistent or worsening symptoms might suggest a more serious problem or be worsened by factors like poor circulation, chronic diseases, or certain medications.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024
Delon had been battling poor health in recent years and suffered a stroke in 2019.
—Jack Guy, CNN, 18 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poor
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'poor.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
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