Meaning & use

starvation

noun·Academic

Severe suffering or death caused by a prolonged lack of food.

See it in a sentence

The drought pushed thousands of families toward starvation before aid finally arrived.

Doctors warned that the strict diet bordered on starvation and could damage her health.

A note on using this word

Often used before another noun to intensify meaning, as in "starvation wages" or "starvation diet."

Words with a similar meaning

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