If you need a compilation of words to describe bad living conditions, we’ve included 21 you can use in your writing below.
1. Squalor
Definition
Filthy and wretched conditions resulting from neglect or poverty.
Examples
“They had been sheltering for months in an abandoned building despite its state of squalor, with debris and decay everywhere.”
“The refugees were found living in squalor, struggling to find clean water and proper shelter as they made their journey westward.”
2. Dilapidated
Definition
In a state of decay or partial ruin, often referring to buildings or structures.
Examples
“The old farmhouse inhabited by the elderly couple was quite dilapidated, its roof sagging and walls crumbling.”
“Carla and Tom moved into a dilapidated apartment building with broken windows and peeling paint, but they were still proud of their first home together.”
3. Wretched
Definition
Extremely poor or deplorable in quality or condition.
Examples
“The homeless man lived a wretched existence, sleeping on the cold streets every night and walking endlessly during the day to avoid arrest for loitering.”
“Amidst the war-torn city, the survivors faced a wretched reality of living in bombed out buildings without basic amenities.”
4. Deplorable
Definition
Deserving strong condemnation or disapproval due to its extremely poor quality or condition.
Examples
“The living conditions in the overcrowded slums were deplorable, with inadequate sanitation and large areas of mold growth.”
“The international community was shocked by the deplorable state of the refugee camp, but they did little to improve it.”
5. Cramped
Definition
Restrictively confined in space; overcrowded.
Examples
“The family of five lived in a cramped one-room apartment, struggling for space to even move about during their waking hours.”
“After a long journey, the captured soldiers were escorted into cramped makeshift accommodations in an old detention facility.”
6. Neglected
Definition
Lacking proper care or attention, resulting in deterioration.
Examples
“The long-term psychiatric facility was noticeably neglected but would serve as Monica’s home for the next five years.”
“The neglected building was a haven for the numerous squatters who inhabited its filthy rooms for years without being removed.”
7. Uninhabitable
Definition
Not suitable or safe for living due to adverse conditions.
Examples
“The building had deteriorated to the point of being declared uninhabitable by authorities, but squatters still made it their home.”
“The toxic levels of smoke drifting into the suburbs at the edge of the wildfires made the houses there uninhabitable.”
8. Inhumane
Definition
Lacking compassion or kindness, often causing suffering to people or animals.
Examples
“The prisoners were subjected to inhumane treatment, kept in dark and cold cells of the deteriorated facility.”
“The conditions in the government’s migrant boat were inhumane, with few amenities and limited rations of food.”
9. Substandard
Definition
Below the quality or standards expected.
Examples
“The substandard construction of the building led to leaks and structural instability that made living there unbearable.”
“The residents complained about the substandard living conditions as they dealt with the stench of backed up sewage in their apartments.”
10. Impoverished
Definition
Extremely poor and lacking resources.
Examples
“The impoverished neighborhood struggled to provide basic necessities to its residents, making their lives there sheer misery.”
“The family’s impoverished circumstances forced them to deal with continuous leaks and sewage problems.”
11. Grimy
Definition
Covered in dirt, grime, or filth.
Examples
“The children played in their grimy bedroom, their clothes becoming increasingly dirtier than they already were.”
“After hours of hard work, the team of cleaners finally managed to clean up the grimy home of the hoarder they were trying to assist.”
12. Unlivable
Definition
Not suitable or comfortable for living.
Examples
“The aftermath of the fires left thick soot on the walls of many homes, rendering them unlivable until they could be cleaned.”
“The extreme heat made the old farmhouse unlivable without proper air conditioning to cool it down to a reasonable temperature.”
13. Uncomfortable
Definition
Lacking comfort or causing physical or emotional discomfort.
Examples
“The lumpy mattress and thin blanket made sleeping in his old cabin uncomfortable, but it was all Harlan had.”
“The broken heating system left the attic space chilly and uncomfortable for the tenant living there and he had to move.”
14. Depressing
Definition
Causing feelings of sadness or gloom.
Examples
“The gray and dilapidated surroundings created a depressing atmosphere in the old house left to Jan by her mother.”
“Each day Karla spent in the modern apartment her husband had built for her was depressing.”
15. Miserable
Definition
Extremely unhappy or uncomfortable.
Examples
“The refugees’ journey was filled with hardships, making their lives even more miserable than they had expected.”
“The leaky roof and constant drafts made the cottage a miserable place to live for the elderly widow.”
16. Rotten
Definition
Decayed, spoiled, or in a state of decomposition.
Examples
“The smell of rotten vegetation and structural decay pervaded the neglected castle where she lived.”
“Shane was appalled by the rotten living conditions and violence from other detainees at the juvenile facility.”
17. Unkempt
Definition
Not properly maintained or cared for; messy and untidy.
Examples
“The unkempt state of the building and yard hid the numerous vagrants that dwelled in the damp walls of the abandoned house.”
“The homeless man’s unkempt appearance reflected the rough circumstances of his living conditions.”
18. Ramshackle
Definition
In a state of severe disrepair, often referring to buildings or structures.
Examples
“The ramshackle cabin in the woods had a sagging roof and crooked walls but the hermit that lived there paid them no mind.”
“The group of friends found shelter in a ramshackle barn while making their way across the desolate landscape left in the wake of environmental collapse.”
19. Derelict
Definition
Abandoned or neglected, often referring to buildings or areas.
Examples
“The derelict subway tunnels had become a haven for squatters and vandals to live as they pleased.”
“The city’s once vibrant waterfront had turned into a derelict wasteland of condemned buildings filled with drifters who had no place else to live.”
20. Infested
Definition
Overrun or filled with a large number of unwanted organisms or pests.
Examples
“The bowels of the deserted houseboat where Walter made his home was infested with water snakes and rodents.”
“The neglected shack became infested with insects that forced Margo to flee in search of better living conditions.”
21. Dismal
Definition
Depressing, dreary, and gloomy in appearance or atmosphere.
Examples
“The inhabitants of the dismal village had little hope for a better future due to the massive destruction the constant bombing had left behind.”
“Teree found the boat he and his family were forced to live on after they reached the shores of their destination dismal and insulting to someone only seeking a better life.”