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
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
But there is another concerning trend and area that has to be improved — their poor record on second balls.
—
Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
The county’s response to the Tijuana River sewage crisis has been very poor.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Without a clear profit strategy, high sales numbers can mask underlying issues like bloated expenses, poor cash flow, or razor-thin margins.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
The Heat holds a poor 9-24 record this season in games against teams currently with a winning record.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poor
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Rob Tanner, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
The county’s response to the Tijuana River sewage crisis has been very poor.
—Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
Without a clear profit strategy, high sales numbers can mask underlying issues like bloated expenses, poor cash flow, or razor-thin margins.
—Melissa Houston, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
The Heat holds a poor 9-24 record this season in games against teams currently with a winning record.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poor
Articles Related to poor
Cite this Entry
“Poor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poor. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.
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