Synonyms for

Poorer

Verb / ˈpu:rɜ: / Another word for poorer — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Having less money, resources, or possessions than needed or desired.

Synonyms & similar words

rich inadequate pitiful hapless miserable wretched pathetic pitiable piteous short misfortunate poor broke destitute needy penurious impoverished bankrupt insolvent underprivileged deprived wanting lacking deficient short scant scarce limited meager modest

Synonyms by register

Formal

less affluent less wealthy deprived impoverished

Informal

worse off strapped hard up broke

Literary

penurious needy destitute

Antonyms

richer wealthier affluent prosperous better-off more fortunate

Common collocations

  • poorer countries
  • poorer nations
  • poorer quality
  • poorer health
  • poorer performance
  • poorer than expected
  • poorer by a margin

Word family

noun poverty
adjective poor
adverb poorly

Usage note

The word 'poorer' is the comparative form of 'poor'. It can refer to a lack of money or resources, or to lower quality or a less desirable state.

Example sentences

  1. The homeless man is much poorer than us.
  2. My mom says we need to save money because we are getting poorer.
  3. The poor farmer had to sell his land because he was becoming poorer.
  4. The school provides free lunch for poorer students.
  5. The poorer countries struggle to provide for their citizens.

Quotes

  • The tragedy of the poor is the poverty of their aspirations. - Adam Smith
  • The poor themselves can create a poverty-free world. All we have to do is to free them from the chains that we have put around them. - Muhammad Yunus
  • The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. - Franklin D. Roosevelt

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