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
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
Many samurai remain, but sword-carrying is outlawed, leaving many of them jobless and destitute.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destitute
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
Many samurai remain, but sword-carrying is outlawed, leaving many of them jobless and destitute.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destitute
Adjective
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As Rose’s impoverished yet imperious mother Ruth, Parson’s dry deliveries offer great comic ballast to this ship of fools.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Jack grew up in an impoverished single-parent household and David is from a wealthy Texan family.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2024
Adjective
-
These closures reflect various factors, including poor investment returns, a lack of government support for refinery upgrades and higher carbon and energy costs.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
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After McCandless and her council colleagues approved the sweeping tax breaks, King consistently spoke on how its planning process exemplified poor communication from the city, saying that current leaders should have advocated for a better deal for Independence.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
When news of the remains’ being found broke, Burke was on his Withered World Tour.—
Andrew Blankstein,
NBC news,
17 Apr. 2026
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An eccentric poodle breeder lures a broke college student to her remote ranch with a promise of research funding.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destitute. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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