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Definitions

dirt poor

ADJECTIVE
bad off
Synonyms
WEAK
bankrupt busted destitute flat broke impoverished in need of indigent needy poor poverty-stricken
ADJECTIVE
broke
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bankrupt destitute insolvent penniless
STRONG
beggared bust impoverished ruined strapped
WEAK
cleaned out flat broke in Chapter 11 in debt indebted indigent needy penurious poor stone broke tapped out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
rich solvent wealthy
WEAK
affluent
ADJECTIVE
destitute
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bankrupt exhausted impoverished indigent insolvent needy penniless poor poverty-stricken strapped
WEAK
beggared bereft busted dead broke deficient depleted deprived of devoid of divested drained empty flat flat broke impecunious in need of lacking moneyless necessitous on the breadline on the rocks penurious pinched played-out stony stripped totaled wiped-out without
Antonyms
STRONGEST
affluent rich solvent wealthy
WEAK
lucky prosperous secure
ADJECTIVE
impecunious
Synonyms
WEAK
beggared broke cleaned out destitute homeless impoverished indigent insolvent necessitous needy penniless penurious poor strapped unprosperous
Antonyms
WEAK
moneyed rich wealthy
ADJECTIVE
necessitous
Synonyms
WEAK
bad off bankrupt beggared beggarly behind the eight ball broke destitute down-and-out empty-handed flat flat broke fortuneless hard up impecunious impoverished in need in want indigent insolvent low meager moneyless needy on one's uppers pauperized penniless penurious pinched poverty-stricken reduced scanty stone broke strapped suffering truly needy underprivileged unprosperous
ADJECTIVE
needy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
destitute disadvantaged indigent penniless poor poverty-stricken underprivileged
STRONG
down-and-out flat
WEAK
beggared dead broke down to last cent down-at-heel impecunious necessitous penurious unprosperous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
affluent lucky privileged prosperous rich wealthy
ADJECTIVE
penniless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bankrupt broke destitute impoverished indigent needy
WEAK
clean cleaned out dead broke down to last penny flat flat broke impecunious in the gutter lacking moneyless necessitous on last leg over a barrel penurious poor poverty-stricken ruined strapped tapped out without a dime
Antonyms
STRONGEST
affluent rich solvent wealthy
ADJECTIVE
poor
Synonyms
STRONGEST
destitute impoverished indigent low meager needy penniless poverty-stricken underprivileged
STRONG
bankrupt down-and-out flat insolvent scanty suffering
WEAK
bad off beggared beggarly behind the eight ball broke empty-handed flat broke fortuneless hard up impecunious in need in want moneyless necessitous pauperized penurious pinched reduced stone broke strapped truly needy unprosperous
Antonyms
STRONGEST
affluent prosperous rich wealthy well-to-do
STRONG
comfortable fortunate solvent
ADJECTIVE
poverty-stricken
Synonyms
STRONGEST
destitute distressed impoverished indigent needy poor strapped
WEAK
bad off bankrupt beggared beggarly broke down-and-out hard up impencunious in dire circumstances in great need in want miserably poor moneyless necessitous needful penniless penurious short stone broke stranded suffering unmoneyed wanting
Antonyms
STRONGEST
affluent happy lucky rich wealthy
ADJECTIVE
strapped
Synonyms
STRONGEST
impoverished
STRONG
beggared broke
WEAK
flat fortuneless out of money penniless penurious poor stone broke
Antonyms
WEAK
rich wealthy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We were dirt poor, had big Scottish accents at the time, a family of six siblings, and then coming to very conventional suburban schools,” he said, the memory eliciting a wild-card smile.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

He had grown up dirt poor in what is now South Korea, then occupied by Japan.

From Science Magazine • May 3, 2023

"Patients who were put in there were dirt poor," said Clare Blackmore, one of the volunteers.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2023

“When I grew up dirt poor, museums were not for me,” said Eggers, who has been with the Burke for seven years now.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 9, 2022

She and Glen were dirt poor, but Marsha had always compensated for the things she couldn’t give her kids by giving them all of her heart.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson