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Synonyms for

Famine

Noun / ˈfæmʌn / Another word for famine — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a severe shortage of food that results in widespread hunger and starvation among a population

Synonyms & similar words

shortage dearth hunger starvation scarcity shortage dearth deficiency poverty drought famine-stricken starving malnutrition undernourishment want crisis hardship privation affliction destitution misery suffering

Synonyms by register

Formal

starvation scarcity deprivation want

Informal

food shortage hunger crisis

Literary

lean times dearth

Antonyms

abundance plenty bounty prosperity surplus wealth

Common collocations

  • widespread famine
  • severe famine
  • food famine
  • famine relief
  • famine victims
  • prevent famine
  • end famine

Word family

noun famine
adjective famished

Usage note

Famine specifically refers to a severe and widespread shortage of food, often leading to mass starvation. It is a more extreme and specific term than general hunger or scarcity.

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Example sentences

  1. The famine in the village caused many people to die of hunger.
  2. The government sent aid to the famine-stricken region.
  3. The drought led to a famine in the area.
  4. The famine affected the entire population.
  5. The famine caused a lot of suffering among the people.

Quotes

  • Famine is the characteristic of some people not having enough food to eat. - Amartya Sen
  • Famine is not a simple problem of food production. It is a complex of social, economic and political factors. - Amartya Sen
  • Famine seems to be one of the most unnatural disasters. It occurs because of the wickedness of some and the apathy of others. - Jonathan Sacks

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