Penury
hardNegative tonePEN-yuh-ree
noun
Definition
extreme poverty; destitution
Memory hook
PENURY sounds like 'penny-less-ry': down to your last PENNY and then none. A man with empty pockets shaking out a single coin.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“Once a wealthy merchant, he ended his days in utter penury.”
“The novel depicts the penury of families crowded into nineteenth-century tenements.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“Once a wealthy merchant, he ended his days in utter ______.”
Show answer
penury
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Penury is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "destitution" or "indigence" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "wealth".
Related GRE Words
indigence
extreme poverty
aberrant
Deviating from what is normal or expected
aberration
A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected
abeyance
a state of temporary suspension or inactivity
abscond
To leave secretly and hide, especially to avoid arrest or prosecution
abstemious
Moderate in eating and drinking; self-restrained
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