English Synonyms for Alternative Lifestyles and Poverty Vocabulary Words – Online Quiz!

asexual (adjective) /eɪˈsɛk ʃu əl/
Meaning: Asexual individuals may still form deep emotional connections and have romantic relationships, but their relationships typically do not include sexual intimacy.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to asexual?
Options: nonsexual; sexual; amorous; passionate
Answer: nonsexual
Synonyms: abstinent; celibate; chaste; indifferent; loveless; neutral; nonsexual; passionless; platonic; sexless; uninterested
Example: "As an asexual person, Sarah finds solace in her friendships and creative works."

barter (verb) /ˈbɑːtə/
Meaning: In a barter transaction, parties negotiate the terms of the trade, offering items they possess in exchange for items they need or desire.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to barter?
Options: trade; buy; purchase; sell
Answer: trade
Synonyms: bargain; deal; haggle; interchange; negotiate; swap; trade; transact
Example: "In the ancient marketplace, people would barter goods for what they needed."

bohemian (adjective) /bəʊˈhiːmɪən/
Meaning: Bohemian is an adjective used to describe a lifestyle or a person that is unconventional, non-conformist, and often associated with the arts, particularly literature and music.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to bohemian?
Options: unconventional; conventional; traditional; conformist
Answer: unconventional
Synonyms: alternative; artistic; arty; boho; eccentric; hippie; individualist; maverick; unorthodox
Example: "Her bohemian lifestyle allowed for creative expression and freedom."

cenobite (noun) /ˈsi nəˌbaɪt/
Meaning: Derived from the Greek word "koinos," meaning "common," and "bios," meaning "life," cenobites commit themselves to living together in a structured community.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to cenobite?
Options: monk; individualist; hermit; loner
Answer: monk
Synonyms: anchoress; anchorite; ascetic; cenobiar; devotee; eremite; frater; hermit; monk; nun; recluse; solitary
Example: "The cenobite led a life of solitude and contemplation within the walls of the monastery."

cohabit (verb) /kəʊˈhabɪt/
Meaning: The term can refer to any two people who live together, regardless of their gender or relationship status.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to cohabit?
Options: live together; live separately; distance; part
Answer: live
Synonyms: abide; couple; dwell; inhabit; mingle; occupy; reside; shack; share; stay
Example: "Many couples prefer to cohabit before getting married."

concubine (noun) /ˈkɒŋkjəbaɪn/
Meaning: Historically, concubines were often considered inferior to wives and were not afforded the same legal or social rights.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to concubine?
Options: mistress; wife; spouse; partner
Answer: mistress
Synonyms: concubinage; courtesan; geisha; lover; mistress; odalisque; paramour; prostitute
Example: "In ancient China, a concubine was often considered inferior to a wife in terms of social status."

derelict (adjective) /ˈdɛrɪlɪkt/
Meaning: When something is characterized as derelict, it implies that it has been forsaken and has fallen into a state of neglect, often with visible signs of deterioration.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to derelict?
Options: neglected; maintained; cared for; cherished
Answer: neglected
Synonyms: abandoned; decaying; deserted; desolate; despoiled; deteriorated; dilapidated; discarded; disused; forlorn; forsaken; neglected
Example: "The derelict building stood as a haunting reminder of the past."

destitute (adjective) /ˈdɛstɪtjuːt/
Meaning: When someone or something is characterized as destitute, it signifies a condition of utter impoverishment and an inability to meet basic needs, such as food, shelter, and clothing.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to destitute?
Options: impoverished; wealthy; affluent; prosperous
Answer: impoverished
Synonyms: beggared; broke; deprived; impecunious; impoverished; needy; pauperized; penurious; poor
Example: "The destitute beggar huddled in a corner, seeking shelter from the rain."

dole (noun) /doʊl/
Meaning: This assistance may come in the form of regular payments or other forms of aid, such as food or housing subsidies.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to dole?
Options: welfare; wealth; prosperity; richness
Answer: welfare
Synonyms: aid; alms; benefit; charity; grant; handout; relief; stipend; subsidy; support
Example: "The government provides financial assistance to those in need through the dole."

hobo (noun) /ˈhoʊ boʊ/
Meaning: Hobos are individuals who lack a fixed residence and instead rely on a nomadic lifestyle, moving from place to place in search of work or simply to experience a sense of freedom.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to hobo?
Options: vagrant; resident; homeowner; settler
Answer: vagrant
Synonyms: bum; drifter; gypsy; itinerant; nomad; rover; tramp; transient; traveler; vagrant; wanderer; wayfarer
Example: "The hobo sat by the railroad tracks, waiting for a train to take him to his next destination."

impecunious (adjective) /ˌɪmpɪˈkjuːnɪəs/
Meaning: When someone is characterized as impecunious, it suggests a significant and persistent lack of money and assets, making it difficult or impossible to meet their basic needs or lead a comfortable life.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to impecunious?
Options: poor; wealthy; affluent; rich
Answer: poor
Synonyms: bankrupt; broke; destitute; impoverished; indigent; insolvent; penniless; penurious; poor
Example: "Despite his impecunious situation, Jonathan never stopped dreaming big."

impoverished (adjective) /ɪmˈpɒv(ə)rɪʃt/
Meaning: It can refer to individuals, communities, or entire countries that are suffering from a lack of wealth and resources.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to impoverished?
Options: destitute; wealthy; affluent; prosperous
Answer: destitute
Synonyms: bankrupt; beggared; depleted; deprived; destitute; impecunious; penniless; penurious
Example: "The impoverished village lacked access to clean water and basic healthcare."

indigence (noun) /ˈɪndɪdʒ(ə)ns/
Meaning: Indigence is often characterized by a lack of resources, including money, education, and job opportunities.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to indigence?
Options: poverty; wealth; affluence; prosperity
Answer: poverty
Synonyms: beggary; deprivation; destitution; impoverishment; need; pauperism; penury; privation
Example: "The charity organization aims to alleviate indigence in the community through its support programs."

indigent (adjective) /ˈɪndɪʤənt/
Meaning: When someone is characterized as indigent, it signifies a state of profound destitution and financial hardship, often with an inability to afford necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to indigent?
Options: needy; wealthy; affluent; rich
Answer: needy
Synonyms: beggared; beggarly; destitute; disadvantaged; impecunious; impoverished; insolvent; needy; pauperized; penniless; penurious; poor
Example: "The local charity offered assistance to indigent individuals struggling to make ends meet."

junkie (noun) /ˈdʒʌŋ ki/
Meaning: The term carries a negative connotation and implies a person's heavy reliance on and compulsive use of illicit substances.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to junkie?
Options: addict; abstainer; teetotaler; nonuser
Answer: addict
Synonyms: addict; crackhead; dependent; dopehead; druggie; fiend; habitual; junkhead; junky; narco; user
Example: "The city's alleyways were filled with junkies seeking their fix."

mendicant (adjective) /ˈmɛn dɪ kənt/
Meaning: When someone or a religious order is characterized as mendicant, it implies a reliance on the generosity of others for basic sustenance, often involving a vow of poverty and a life devoted to spiritual or charitable pursuits rather than material wealth.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to mendicant?
Options: beggar; donor; benefactor; giver
Answer: beggar
Synonyms: begging; impecunious; impoverished; pauperized; penniless; penurious; scrounging; sponging
Example: "The mendicant monk relied on the generosity of others for his sustenance."

menial (adjective) /ˈmiːnɪəl/
Meaning: Menial tasks are often considered to be routine, repetitive, and uninteresting, and may involve manual labor or other physical tasks.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to menial?
Options: unskilled; prestigious; high-level; skilled
Answer: unskilled
Synonyms: boring; dull; humdrum; lowly; repetitive; routine; tedious; uninteresting; unskilled
Example: "The new intern was assigned menial tasks like filing and making photocopies."

monkish (adjective) /ˈmʌŋ kɪʃ/
Meaning: It typically implies a strict, disciplined, or ascetic way of living, resembling the devout and contemplative nature of monks.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to monkish?
Options: ascetic; indulgent; extravagant; worldly
Answer: ascetic
Synonyms: ascetic; austere; contemplative; devout; disciplined; hermitic; pious; reclusive; simple; solitary; spiritual; withdrawn
Example: "His spartan living quarters reflected his monkish lifestyle."

nomad (noun) /ˈnəʊməd/
Meaning: This way of life is often associated with pastoral or semi-nomadic communities who rely on herding animals or gathering food from the land.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to nomad?
Options: wanderer; settler; resident; inhabitant
Answer: wanderer
Synonyms: drifter; gypsy; hobo; itinerant; rambler; roamer; tramp; traveler; vagabond; wayfarer
Example: "The nomad wandered the desert in search of an oasis."

nonconformist (noun) /ˌnɒn kənˈfɔr mɪst/
Meaning: It encapsulates someone who resists conformity and embraces a unique perspective or way of life, often challenging prevailing beliefs and traditions.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to nonconformist?
Options: rebel; conformist; traditionalist; follower
Answer: rebel
Synonyms: bohemian; dissenter; eccentric; freethinker; heretic; iconoclast; individualist; maverick; nontraditional; outsider; rebel; renegade
Example: "The nonconformist artist challenged traditional art forms with their unique and provocative creations."

pauper (noun) /ˈpɔːpə/
Meaning: The term is often used to describe someone who is destitute and has little or no money, property, or means of support.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to pauper?
Options: destitute; magnate; tycoon; billionaire
Answer: destitute
Synonyms: almsman; beggar; bum; drifter; hobo; indigent; mendicant; ragamuffin; tramp; vagabond
Example: "The pauper huddled by the roadside, seeking shelter from the cold."

penurious (adjective) /ˌpɛnˈjuriəs/
Meaning: When someone or a situation is described as penurious, it signifies a state of profound economic hardship and financial deprivation, often making it difficult or impossible to meet even the most basic needs.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to penurious?
Options: poor; wealthy; affluent; rich
Answer: poor
Synonyms: beggarly; frugal; miserly; niggardly; parsimonious; penniless; skimping; stingy; tightfisted
Example: "The penurious family struggled to put food on the table every day."

pittance (noun) /ˈpɪt(ə)ns/
Meaning: The term is often used to describe pay or wages that are considered to be insufficient or unjustly low.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to pittance?
Options: trifle; fortune; abundance; wealth
Answer: trifle
Synonyms: crumb; dab; drop; mite; modicum; morsel; peanuts; scrap; shoestring; shred; smidgen; snippet
Example: "After years of hard work, he received a mere pittance for his efforts."

pleb (noun) /plɛb/
Meaning: The term originated from the Latin word 'plebeian', which referred to the common people in ancient Rome who were not part of the aristocracy or patrician class.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to pleb?
Options: commoner; aristocrat; elite; noble
Answer: commoner
Synonyms: citizen; civilian; denizen; inhabitant; native; peasant; proletarian; serf; subject; taxpayer
Example: "The political elite often dismissed the concerns of the plebs."

poverty (noun) /ˈpɒvəti/
Meaning: It is often defined as a relative concept, meaning that poverty is not just a lack of income, but rather a condition in which people are unable to meet the minimum standards of living that are considered normal in their society.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to poverty?
Options: destitution; wealth; affluence; richness
Answer: destitution
Synonyms: beggary; destitution; hardship; indigence; pauperism; penury; privation; scarcity; sparsity
Example: "Poverty is a pressing issue that affects communities worldwide."

precariat (noun) /prɪˈkɛər i ət/
Meaning: This group often includes gig workers, freelancers, and part-time employees who lack stability in their work arrangements and are at risk of losing their income at any time.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to precariat?
Options: unstable; secure; stable; established
Answer: unstable
Synonyms: contingent; disadvantaged; impoverished; laborer; marginalized; poor; proletariat; underclass; underemployed; unstable; vulnerable; worker
Example: "The rise of the precariat is a significant social phenomenon in today's world."

privation (noun) /prʌɪˈveɪʃ(ə)n/
Meaning: The term "privation" refers to a state of being without the necessities of life.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to privation?
Options: lack; abundance; luxury; opulence
Answer: lack
Synonyms: deficiency; deprivation; destitution; impoverishment; indigence; pauperism; penury; scarcity
Example: "The refugees endured years of privation, lacking food and shelter."

prostitute (noun) /ˈprɒs tɪˌtut/
Meaning: Often considered a derogatory term, it describes a person who offers sexual acts in exchange for financial compensation, typically on a transactional basis.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to prostitute?
Options: sex worker; abstainer; celibate; puritan
Answer: sex
Synonyms: cocotte; courtesan; doxy; escort; harlot; hooker; hustler; moll; streetwalker; strumpet; tart; whore
Example: "The police conducted a raid on the brothel and arrested several prostitutes."

ragamuffin (noun) /ˈræg əˌmʌf ɪn/
Meaning: It carries a connotation of a scruffy appearance and a lack of cleanliness.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to ragamuffin?
Options: urchin; aristocrat; well-dressed; elegant
Answer: urchin
Synonyms: gamin; gamine; guttersnipe; mudlark; ragabash; ragpicker; scruff; tatterdemalion; urchin; waif
Example: "The alley was filled with a group of ragamuffins, playing and laughing despite their circumstances."

scavenge (verb) /ˈskav(ɪ)n(d)ʒ/
Meaning: The term is often used in the context of animals, where it refers to the behavior of foraging for food in a specific area.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to scavenge?
Options: forage; discard; waste; ignore
Answer: forage
Synonyms: comb; forage; glean; grub; hunt; patrol; pick; pilfer; roam; rove; rummage; salvage
Example: "Families in poverty scavenge for food scraps to survive."

scrounge (verb) /skraʊndʒ/
Meaning: When someone scrounges, they make efforts to find or gather things, typically necessities or resources, through various means.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to scrounge?
Options: forage; donate; give; offer
Answer: forage
Synonyms: beg; bum; cadge; forage; freeload; glean; grub; hunt; mooch; rummage; salvage; sponge
Example: "It's time to scrounge up some grub before the movie starts."

servitude (noun) /ˈsəːvɪtjuːd/
Meaning: Servitude can take many forms, such as slavery, forced labor, debt bondage, or other forms of involuntary servitude.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to servitude?
Options: bondage; freedom; liberation; independence
Answer: bondage
Synonyms: bondage; confinement; enslavement; obedience; serfdom; slavery; subjugation; vassalage
Example: "The slaves endured a life of servitude under their oppressive masters."

sparse (adjective) /spɑːs/
Meaning: When something is referred to as sparse, it suggests that it is lacking in abundance or density, with notable gaps or infrequent occurrences.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to sparse?
Options: scant; abundant; dense; plentiful
Answer: scant
Synonyms: dispersed; meager; minimal; occasional; scanty; scarce; scattered; skimpy; sparing; sporadic
Example: "The sparse menu offered only a few options for diners."

squalid (adjective) /ˈskwɒl ɪd/
Meaning: It can be used to refer to living conditions, living spaces, or even personal appearance.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to squalid?
Options: filthy; pristine; clean; luxurious
Answer: filthy
Synonyms: dank; filthy; grimy; grubby; messy; nasty; shabby; sleazy; unclean; unsanitary; vile
Example: "The abandoned house had a squalid interior, filled with trash and decay."

squalor (noun) /ˈskwɒlə/
Meaning: This term can refer to physical conditions such as filth, debris, and decay, as well as social and economic conditions such as overcrowding, unemployment, and lack of basic services.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to squalor?
Options: filth; cleanliness; luxury; opulence
Answer: filth
Synonyms: decay; dinginess; filth; foulness; griminess; grubbiness; uncleanliness; wretchedness
Example: "The slums were filled with squalor and poverty."

subsistence (noun) /səbˈsɪstəns/
Meaning: Subsistence can also refer to the means by which individuals or communities obtain these necessities, such as through hunting, fishing, farming, or other forms of subsistence production.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to subsistence?
Options: survival; luxury; abundance; opulence
Answer: survival
Synonyms: existence; food; livelihood; living; provisions; rations; survival; sustenance; upkeep
Example: "In harsh climates, survival often comes down to subsistence hunting and gathering."

troglodyte (noun) /ˈtrɔːɡlədaɪt/
Meaning: Historically, it described prehistoric humans who inhabited caves or underground shelters.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to troglodyte?
Options: recluse; socialite; extrovert; mingler
Answer: recluse
Synonyms: anchorite; eremite; hermit; introvert; isolate; loner; misanthrope; recluse; solitary
Example: "The troglodyte's cave was hidden deep within the mountain."

vagabond (noun) /ˈvaɡəbɒnd/
Meaning: The term is often used to describe someone who lives a nomadic lifestyle, traveling from place to place with no set destination or purpose.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to vagabond?
Options: wanderer; resident; settler; inhabitant
Answer: wanderer
Synonyms: beggar; bum; drifter; hobo; itinerant; nomad; outcast; tramp; vagrant; wanderer; wayfarer
Example: "He lived a vagabond life, never staying in one place for too long."

vagrant (noun) /ˈveɪɡr(ə)nt/
Meaning: The term can also be used to describe a person who lives a nomadic lifestyle and does not follow societal norms or conventions.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to vagrant?
Options: drifter; resident; settler; homesteader
Answer: drifter
Synonyms: beggar; bum; dosser; drifter; hobo; homeless; itinerant; pikey; tramp; vagabond; wanderer
Example: "The park was a haven for vagrants seeking temporary shelter."