indigent
Adjective
Hard difficulty
What does “indigent” mean?
adjective.poor; needy.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in passages discussing social issues, poverty, or economic disparity. It emphasizes a state of extreme neediness, suggesting not just lack of wealth but also the struggles associated with it, distinguishing it from milder terms like "poor," which may not convey the same level of desperation or deprivation.
Common Confusions
Indigent implies a state of extreme poverty and neediness, while impoverished usually suggests a more general lack of wealth without necessarily conveying the same depth of desperation or struggle.
Do not choose indigent if the context emphasizes wealth or abundance rather than being poor or needy.
Example Sentences
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The clinic provided free care to those who were indigent.