1
as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
many families were left destitute by the horrible fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in devoid
utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected
a lingering drought and a sky destitute of rain clouds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of destitute
To many, bringing destitute Vietnamese to American shores seemed nonsensical.
—
CBS News, 27 Apr. 2025
Early veterans' activities, including the first reunions, typically focused on providing aid for destitute veterans and their dependents, a trend followed by reunions in Arkansas.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
Some of the 221 Nicaraguans were left completely destitute.
—Cd Goette-Luciak, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
The bank seizes the family’s assets, leaving them relatively destitute.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destitute
CBS News, 27 Apr. 2025
Early veterans' activities, including the first reunions, typically focused on providing aid for destitute veterans and their dependents, a trend followed by reunions in Arkansas.
—Arkansas Online, 5 Apr. 2025
Some of the 221 Nicaraguans were left completely destitute.
—Cd Goette-Luciak, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
The bank seizes the family’s assets, leaving them relatively destitute.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destitute
Adjective
-
Many are located in impoverished barrios dominated by criminals — who are now demanding a cut of their tuition fees.—
John Otis,
NPR,
7 July 2025
-
The ignorant need cultural immersion at the American Museum of the Cuban Diaspora, which tells the story of those who fled the Cuban island that went from a free, prosperous republic to an oppressive, impoverished dictatorship within a single generation.—
Luka Ladan,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
14 Feb. 2023
Adjective
-
But August is perhaps a poor month in which to rally the staff.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
-
For certain situations, particularly if someone is in poor health, experts generally say claiming early makes sense.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Meanwhile, lawmakers learned Wednesday that Social Security and Medicare are expected to go broke earlier than last projected because of rising costs, according to the funds’ trustees.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
19 June 2025
-
But Lucy is a pragmatist, recalling an anniversary fight with John when they were broke and unhappy.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destitute. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share