BEGGAR Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

beggar 1 of 2

noun

ˈbe-gər

Definition of beggar

as in hobo

a person who lives by public begging the pitiful beggars that are such a common sight in underdeveloped countries

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

beggar

2 of 2

verb

as in to pauperize

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 beggar

Noun

Home at Last Odysseus returned to Ithaca 20 years after his initial departure, disguised as a beggar. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026 In Homer’s Odyssey, Athena magically disguises Odysseus as an elderly man upon his return to Ithaca, rather than Odysseus simply dressing himself as a beggar. — Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Verb

Ria eventually uncovers a nefarious plot that beggars even euphemistic description in a spoiler-free universe. — Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 26 Apr. 2023 Iraq entered a long, grueling period of international sanctions that beggared its once robust middle class. — New York Times, 31 Dec. 2019 See All Example Sentences for beggar

Recent Examples of Synonyms for beggar

Noun

Carl Sandburg’s 1927 American Songbag featured a whole section of hobo songs presenting the bum as a beau ideal.

— Caroline Fraser, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
From feeding hobos on the back porch in the night in the Great Depression to marching against wars for oil in the Eighties and Nineties.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of hobo

Noun

Throughout much of Buddhist history, and particularly in Theravada Buddhist contexts, mindfulness and its associated meditation methods have been the purview of mendicants (monks and nuns), who used mindfulness meditation to achieve trance states (jhana) leading to nirvana.

— Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Apr. 2026
An internationally famous leader who lived a mendicant’s life.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026

Definition of mendicant

Verb

There are some people who believe that new residents impoverish and take away from our quality of life and our schools.

— Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 20 May 2026
At the same time, serving your nation shouldn’t impoverish you or prevent your spouse or children from having a career or saving for retirement.

— Jeff Horseman, Oc Register, 5 May 2026

Definition of impoverish

Noun

The 300 block of East Trade Street is frequented by patrons of public transportation, panhandlers and the thousands of fans attending events at the Spectrum Center.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Sep. 2026
Some worry about robots replacing human jobs, even panhandlers.

— Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of panhandler

Verb

At a June forum for county executive candidates, former Legislator Dan Tarwater said the lawsuit could cost up to $1 billion in payouts, potentially bankrupting Jackson County.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026
Sometimes the very entities owning these hospitals and nursing homes are purposely bankrupting them, pillaging them of their value to maximize the owners’ profits.

— Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of bankrupt

Noun

Carl Sandburg’s 1927 American Songbag featured a whole section of hobo songs presenting the bum as a beau ideal.

— Caroline Fraser, The New York Review of Books, 3 Oct. 2026
The silhouette was heavily elongated, with three-quarter-length jackets and argyle knitwear that covered the bum.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of bum

Verb

On Monday, workers hauled out a 200-pound piece of equipment that was ruined by the saltwater and sand carried in on the high tides.

— Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
So our goal is to learn how to maximize AI budgets, not ration them and ruin productivity gains.

— Konstantin Klyagin, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruin

Browse Nearby Words

beg (for)

beggar

beggared

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Beggar.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/beggar. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of beggar

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Luddite

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes