What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deprived
Example
The children in the orphanage are deprived of proper nutrition and healthcare. [deprived: adjective]
Example
The government's policies have deprived many citizens of their basic rights. [deprived: verb]
poor
Example
Many families in the rural areas live in poor conditions without access to clean water or electricity. [poor: adjective]
Example
The pandemic has left many people jobless and struggling to make ends meet, leading to increased poverty. [poverty: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Poor is more commonly used than deprived in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts. Deprived is less common and more formal, and it is typically used in academic or technical writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deprived and poor?
While poor can be used in both formal and informal contexts, deprived is more formal and is typically used in academic or technical writing to discuss social or economic issues.