as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions because he was indigent, the court appointed a lawyer to represent him
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in pauper
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of indigent
Emily Naiser, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026 As it’s currently set up, San Diego County’s is the most restrictive medically-indigent program among California’s biggest counties. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indigent
Adjective
Without enough lawyers providing indigent defense, defendants sit in jail longer, plead without guidance and risk wrongful convictions. —Emily Naiser, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026 As it’s currently set up, San Diego County’s is the most restrictive medically-indigent program among California’s biggest counties. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Noun
Lower than proletariat workers, the lumpenproletariat includes the indigent and the unemployable, those cast out of the workforce with no recourse, or those who can’t enter it in the first place, such as young workers in times of economic depression. —Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indigent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for indigent
Adjective
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Marriott’s report was the first time a British aid charity had documented how taxpayers’ money was funding a business accused of detaining impoverished African patients.— Hettie O'Brien, The Dial, 21 Apr. 2026
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Sickert is showcased here for both his impressionistic instincts and his portrayal of previously taboo art subjects such as prostitutes and the impoverished.— Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Titanic is still a subject of worldwide fascination, in part because of the range of passengers aboard the ship, from paupers to plutocrats.— Jill Lawless, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026
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The Titanic is still a subject of worldwide fascination, in part because of the range of passengers aboard the ship, from paupers to plutocrats.— CBS News, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The Braves couldn’t overcome a poor start from Reynaldo López and saw their six-game winning streak fall by the wayside in an 11-4 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday at Nationals Park.— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 22 Apr. 2026
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In the days leading up to his fatal overdose, Prince was in poor health and was forced to cancel shows in Atlanta.— Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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With fewer homes available for median earners, today's housing market is widening the gap between the haves and have-nots, with younger Americans less likely to buy a home, the study says.— Mike Winters, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025
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Based on the video game from Bethesda Game Studios, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have.— Denise Petski, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Indigent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/indigent. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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