Economic Hardship Vocabulary

noun extreme poverty; destitution

• The family fell into penury after the main breadwinner lost their job.
• They were living in penury before they hit the jackpot in the lottery.
• I'm so broke, I'm practically in penury.
• His soul was in a state of penury, lacking the richness of experience and emotion.

adverb In a way that causes great distress, suffering, or discomfort

• The lack of funding has sorely impacted the progress of our research project.
• I'm sorely tempted to skip class and go to the beach instead.
• I was sorely hungover after the party last night.
• He felt sorely disappointed when he didn't get the promotion he was hoping for.