Describing Poverty and Failure: English Vocabulary List

of a low quality or standard

"The service was poor."

"The poor service at the restaurant ruined our anniversary dinner and we decided never to go back there again."

not achieving the intended or desired outcome

"The attempt was unsuccessful."

"The unsuccessful candidate decided to try again next year after gaining more experience and improving his skills in the field."

not successful in achieving the desired result

"He is a failed actor."

"The failed experiment taught the scientists valuable lessons that helped them design a better study for their next research project."

having been beaten in a competition, battle, or struggle

"The army was defeated."

"The defeated army surrendered and the general signed a peace treaty to end the long and bloody war between the two nations."

lacking the basic necessities of life

"The child is deprived of sleep."

"The deprived children received free meals at school because their families could not afford to send them with enough food every day."

ineffective in producing positive or meaningful outcomes

"The day was unproductive."

"The meeting was unproductive and they wasted two hours discussing minor issues instead of focusing on the main problem that needed attention."