1
as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
many families were left destitute by the horrible fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of destitute
These individuals are often left destitute, disabled, and in chronic pain from medically unnecessary procedures.
—
Elizabeth Heck, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
No matter the iteration, New York is a destitute trade partner, having already emptied its chamber for Towns and Bridges.
—Ricardo Sandoval, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
One million of these children are destitute, going without their most basic needs of staying warm, dry, clothed and fed being met, according to a 2023 study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which studies poverty and formulates policy to tackle it.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025
Franklin Roosevelt initiated the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Work Progress Administration as part of the New Deal, putting destitute Americans to work by building roads, dams, bridges, libraries, schools — and parks.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Elizabeth Heck, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
No matter the iteration, New York is a destitute trade partner, having already emptied its chamber for Towns and Bridges.
—Ricardo Sandoval, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
One million of these children are destitute, going without their most basic needs of staying warm, dry, clothed and fed being met, according to a 2023 study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which studies poverty and formulates policy to tackle it.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025
Franklin Roosevelt initiated the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Work Progress Administration as part of the New Deal, putting destitute Americans to work by building roads, dams, bridges, libraries, schools — and parks.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destitute
Adjective
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Suu Kyi, 80, has been detained by the junta since and her whereabouts have been unclear amid a deadly civil war that was triggered by the February 2021 coup that has engulfed much of the impoverished Southeast Asian nation.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On Thursday afternoon, at least two of the parishes marked for closure stood silent and seemingly devoid of activity.—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
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To be fair, Saturday’s Kentucky Derby field isn’t entirely devoid of notable nomenclature.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Injuries to key players on the Amazin’s contributed to some poor numbers as well.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Although poor students are disproportionately likely to receive special education in New York City, well-off disabled kids are the ones most acutely driving up the budget.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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On Monday, Pat Riley essentially said what’s broke should be fixed.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This suited Reeves, who, like many of his characters, was broke.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destitute. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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