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
Exposure to high concentrations can cause people to lose consciousness and can lead to long-term effects such as headaches, poor attention span, poor memory and poor motor function, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
—
Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
More than 40% of pregnant people were exposed to extreme heat, and nearly three-quarters lived in areas with poor air quality, the report found.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Only one issue lowers the G80’s appeal, poor fuel economy.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Trump, for one thing, had a favorable set of issues behind him and the Republican Party: Biden had seen poor favorability and approval ratings throughout his term in office, despite scoring several legislative wins, including a bipartisan infrastructure deal that had previously eluded Trump.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poor 
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Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post, 15 Nov. 2024
More than 40% of pregnant people were exposed to extreme heat, and nearly three-quarters lived in areas with poor air quality, the report found.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
Only one issue lowers the G80’s appeal, poor fuel economy.
—James Raia, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
Trump, for one thing, had a favorable set of issues behind him and the Republican Party: Biden had seen poor favorability and approval ratings throughout his term in office, despite scoring several legislative wins, including a bipartisan infrastructure deal that had previously eluded Trump.
—Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for poor
Articles Related to poor
Dictionary Entries Near poor
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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