penury

[ˈpɛnjʊri]

penury Definition

• 1. extreme poverty; destitution
• 2. a state of being extremely poor; extreme want

Using penury: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "penury" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The family was reduced to penury after the father lost his job.

• Example

  Many elderly people live in penury despite having worked hard all their lives.

• Example

  The charity aims to help those in penury by providing food and shelter.

penury Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for penury

• destitution
• indigence
• neediness
• privation
• poverty

Antonyms for penury

• affluence
• prosperity
• wealth

Phrases with penury

• reduce to penury

  to cause someone to become extremely poor or destitute

  Example

  The economic crisis has reduced many families to penury.

• live in penury

  to be in a state of extreme poverty or destitution

  Example

  Despite working hard all her life, she was forced to live in penury in her old age.

• escape from penury

  to improve one's financial situation and move out of a state of extreme poverty

  Example

  With hard work and determination, he was able to escape from penury and build a successful business.

Origins of penury

from Latin 'penuria', meaning 'want, need, scarcity'

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Summary: penury in Brief

'Penury' [ˈpɛnjʊri] refers to a state of extreme poverty or destitution. It is often used to describe situations where people lack basic necessities like food and shelter. Examples include 'The family was reduced to penury after the father lost his job.' and 'The charity aims to help those in penury by providing food and shelter.' Phrases like 'reduce to penury' and 'live in penury' are common.