Find Synonyms

poor Synonyms

Another word for poor

Choosing another word for poor depends on context, so the 38 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 5 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
JUMP TO:

• adjective (Context 1)

Lacking sufficient money or material possessions to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society.

Usage Example

"The scholarship was established to help students from impoverished families attend university."

Strongest
impoverished
needy
destitute
Strong
penniless
indigent
underprivileged
disadvantaged
hard-up
broke
impecunious

• adjective (Context 2)

Of a low or inferior standard, quality, or condition.

Usage Example

"Due to inferior visibility in the heavy fog, several flights were delayed."

Strongest
inferior
substandard
bad
low-grade
Strong
inadequate
deficient
unsatisfactory
mediocre
shoddy
second-rate

• noun (Context 3)

People who lack financial resources and material possessions, considered collectively as a social group (usually preceded by 'the').

Usage Example

"The charity operates community kitchens to provide warm meals for the needy."

Strongest
needy
impoverished
destitute
Strong
indigent
underprivileged
have-nots
disadvantaged

• adjective (Context 4)

Deserving of pity, sympathy, or commiseration due to misfortune (used exclusively before a noun).

Usage Example

"The unfortunate dog was shivering out in the cold rain before we brought him inside."

Strongest
unfortunate
hapless
wretched
pitiable
Strong
pitiful
luckless
unlucky
ill-fated
miserable

• adjective (Context 5)

Deficient or lacking in a specified resource, substance, or quality.

Usage Example

"Crops struggled to grow in the rocky, nutrient-deficient soil."

Strongest
deficient
lacking
Strong
barren
infertile
unproductive
depleted
meager
scanty
sparse

Opposites of poor

The opposite of poor shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

rich
excellent
wealthy
fortunate
superior
lucky
affluent
good
See all opposites of poor

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Poor. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/poor
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Dictionary & Reference
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.