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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destitute
To make matters worse, the equally destitute viewing public is rewarded for ratting out the runners (or killing the contestants themselves), which pits neighbor against neighbor in a way that keeps the underclass at war with itself.
—
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Nov. 2025
Other than their great number, these Irish immigrants were different from previous new arrivals because many of them were absolutely destitute and many came from rural areas.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 28 Oct. 2025
The movement of aid has increased through Israel’s border, but on a scale that Palestinians say falls short of the needs of a destitute populace.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
And when the fire kind of dies out, the excitement dies down, and people are still left pretty destitute and trying to figure out how to rebuild their homes.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destitute
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 11 Nov. 2025
Other than their great number, these Irish immigrants were different from previous new arrivals because many of them were absolutely destitute and many came from rural areas.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 28 Oct. 2025
The movement of aid has increased through Israel’s border, but on a scale that Palestinians say falls short of the needs of a destitute populace.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2025
And when the fire kind of dies out, the excitement dies down, and people are still left pretty destitute and trying to figure out how to rebuild their homes.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destitute
Adjective
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The minerals Kajumba and hundreds of thousands of impoverished Congolese were digging up allowed the rest of the world to enjoy the benefits of electricity, but the benefits to the people of Congo were woefully limited.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
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Brooks speaks colorfully and candidly, starting with his impoverished Brooklyn childhood, raised with three brothers by his mother after his father died of tuberculosis.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2024
Adjective
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Evening people were 79% more likely to have poor overall heart health compared with those in the intermediate group, the study found.—
Dr. Joseph Wendt,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Audits have identified poor planning, weak oversight, and insufficient monitoring of quality and cost.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Harvey continued to start Dickey for the playoffs — if the wheel ain’t broke, don’t fix it — and Seattle won two 1-0 games to make the NWSL Final against Gotham FC.—
Steve Goldberg,
Charlotte Observer,
22 Jan. 2026
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Azamat and Tansholpan are completely broke.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destitute. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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