dying of hunger

USAGE SUMMARY

"dying of hunger" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a situation in which someone is very hungry, to the point of being close to death. For example, "The refugees were dying of hunger after being stranded in the desert for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She said: "They are dying of hunger.

Independent

"Our children are dying of hunger".

The New York Times

People started dying of hunger.

The New Yorker

Now they, too, are dying of hunger.

The Guardian

"We are dying of hunger here.

The Guardian

"People are dying of hunger every day".

The Guardian

They were dying of hunger, mosquitoes, and tropical disease.

The Guardian - Books

Even when his family was dying of hunger, he resisted Qing intervention.

The New York Times - Arts

Children are dying of hunger and cold and not getting treated for wounds that they have.

The Guardian

The formal announcement means people have already started dying of hunger.

The Guardian

Some Yazidis were killed, but others were stranded on Mount Sinjar, dying of hunger and thirst.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about global food crises, use "dying of hunger" to emphasize the urgency and severity of the situation.

Common error

Do not use "dying of hunger" to describe common hunger or missed meals. This phrase is reserved for situations where a lack of food is directly and immediately life-threatening.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dying of hunger" functions as a verb phrase describing a state of extreme deprivation leading to death. The auxiliary verb "dying" paired with the prepositional phrase "of hunger" emphasizes the cause of the fatal condition. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is appropriate for expressing severe food deprivation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dying of hunger" effectively communicates a life-threatening state resulting from extreme food deprivation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in neutral contexts like News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific sources, it emphasizes the severe consequences of famine and starvation. While the phrase is powerful, it should be reserved for situations where the lack of food is directly and immediately life-threatening, distinguishing it from mere hunger. Alternative phrases such as "starving to death" or "succumbing to famine" may be suitable depending on the context. Remember to accurately portray the dire situation using "dying of hunger", saving it for appropriately grave circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starving to death

Emphasizes the process of starvation leading to death.

perishing from starvation

Highlights the fatal outcome of severe food deprivation using more formal language.

succumbing to famine

Focuses on famine as the cause of death.

wasting away from hunger

Describes the gradual physical deterioration due to lack of food.

on the brink of starvation

Indicates a state very close to death by hunger.

facing starvation

Highlights the imminence and threat of starvation.

suffering from severe malnutrition

Focuses on the medical condition resulting from prolonged lack of nutrients.

lacking adequate food

Describes the state of not having enough food to survive.

experiencing acute food insecurity

Uses a more technical term to describe the precariousness of food supply.

going hungry

A more general term indicating a lack of food, but not necessarily life-threatening.

FAQs

What does "dying of hunger" mean?

"Dying of hunger" means someone is experiencing such a severe lack of food that they are at risk of death or are actively in the process of dying due to starvation.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "dying of hunger"?

Use "dying of hunger" when describing situations of extreme famine, starvation, or severe food shortages where individuals are in imminent danger of death due to lack of food. It's not appropriate for everyday hunger.

What are some alternatives to "dying of hunger"?

Alternatives include "starving to death", "perishing from starvation", or "succumbing to famine", depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

How does "dying of hunger" differ from "hungry" or "starving"?

"Dying of hunger" indicates a life-threatening condition due to prolonged food deprivation, whereas "hungry" is a general term for feeling the need to eat. "Starving" implies severe hunger but does not necessarily mean death is imminent, unlike "dying of hunger".