have-not

noun

ˈhav-ˌnät How to pronounce have-not (audio)
-ˈnät
: one that is poor especially in material wealth

Examples of have-not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One is the friction between the haves and have-nots, an old and sturdy foundation on which to build a specific, meaningful tension between two people with differences posing a real test to their attraction. Charles Bramesco, Vulture, 10 Feb. 2025 As if New Mexico State University, one of the perennial have-nots in FBS college sports, wasn’t already facing enough challenges, the state legislature is poised to toss it a meager financial lifeline that appears all but out of reach. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 5 Feb. 2025 Like many aspects of the climate challenge, this one will also drive climate haves and have-nots further apart, especially as relatively safe regions emerge, and discerning buyers flock to their appreciating real estate markets. Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 3 Feb. 2025 Vouchers that direct public dollars to private schools lead to even worse academic outcomes and increase gaps between the haves and have-nots. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for have-not 

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of have-not was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near have-not

Cite this Entry

“Have-not.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have-not. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

have-not

noun
ˈhav-ˌnät,
-ˈnät
: one that is poor in material wealth

More from Merriam-Webster on have-not

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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