abject poverty

USAGE SUMMARY

"abject poverty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to extreme poverty, or to describe a situation in which someone or an area of population is living in conditions of extreme poverty. Example: The government must do everything in its power to reduce the levels of abject poverty in the country.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"There is so much abject poverty.

The New York Times

His policies lifted millions out of abject poverty and misery.

Independent

Democracy was bound to spread abject poverty across races.

The New York Times

This is hard to classify as abject poverty.

The New Yorker

These days, not chewing is tantamount to admitting abject poverty.

The Economist

Those times of abject poverty made Mr. Singh very resourceful.

Stanford University

Israel's economy is booming, while Palestinians languish in abject poverty.

The New York Times

Their first years were lived in abject poverty.

Britannica

Tales of injustice, psychological trauma, malnutrition, and abject poverty.

The Guardian

Most of the population lived in abject poverty.

The New York Times

The level of abject poverty is the world's lowest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "abject poverty", be specific about the conditions and consequences to effectively convey the severity of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "abject poverty" as a generic term for any poverty. Reserve it for situations where the deprivation is truly extreme and life-threatening to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abject poverty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes a state of extreme and degrading impoverishment. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

22%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abject poverty" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound phrase used to describe extreme poverty characterized by dehumanizing conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid for use in written English. Analysis of its usage reveals that it frequently appears in contexts such as news reports, academic papers, and encyclopedic entries. While the phrase carries significant weight, writers should ensure its appropriate use by accurately reflecting the severity of the situation and avoiding overuse in less extreme contexts. Related terms like "extreme destitution" or "dire poverty" can be used as alternatives to add nuance. As the examples show, it is important to be specific when using "abject poverty" to have an effective impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extreme destitution

Focuses more on the state of being without basic necessities.

utter destitution

Emphasizes the completeness and totality of the impoverishment.

dire impoverishment

Highlights the severity and urgency of the poverty.

extreme deprivation

Focuses on the lack of essential resources and opportunities.

wretched poverty

Adds an element of misery and suffering to the description of poverty.

severe destitution

Highlights the intensity of the lack of resources and support.

acute impoverishment

Focuses on the suddenness and sharpness of the decline into poverty.

complete destitution

Emphasizes the total lack of possessions and resources.

deep destitution

Highlights the profound and far-reaching effects of the poverty.

absolute destitution

Focuses on the extreme and fundamental lack of essential resources.

FAQs

How to use "abject poverty" in a sentence?

"Abject poverty" is used to describe a state of extreme poverty where basic human needs are not being met. For example, "The refugees lived in conditions of "abject poverty", lacking food, shelter, and medical care."

What can I say instead of "abject poverty"?

You can use alternatives like "extreme destitution", "dire poverty", or "utter impoverishment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "abject poverty" or "absolute poverty"?

Both ""abject poverty"" and "absolute poverty" refer to severe forms of poverty, but "abject" often implies a more dehumanizing and hopeless condition. "Absolute poverty" typically refers to a lack of resources necessary to meet basic needs.

What's the difference between "abject poverty" and "relative poverty"?

"Abject poverty" describes a state of extreme deprivation, while "relative poverty" refers to a condition where people lack the minimum income level needed to maintain the average standard of living in the society in which they live.