Immiseration refers to the state of being impoverished or experiencing a decline in living standards. Synonyms for this word include destitution, beggary, penury, poverty, and indigence. Other terms may include deprivation, hardship, suffering, want, need, and privation. These words all refer to the condition of lacking basic necessities or resources, such as food, shelter, and clothing. In a broader sense, immiseration can also refer to the degradation of society as a whole, leading to an increase in inequality and social unrest. Other related terms may include economic depression, recession, and downturn, all of which describe a decline in economic activity and general well-being.