1
as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
many families were left destitute by the horrible fire
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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
as in poverty
the state of lacking sufficient money or material possessions
the appalling destituteness of the people in that underdeveloped country
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of destitute
Bill Chappell, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025
After years of war and revolution, Nicaragua was destitute; there was no money for street signs.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2025
That was, until big-hearted border officers took in these destitute immigrants, who found new lives in America as Selma and Lieu, Petunia and Peanut, Cupid, Penelope, Selena and Floyd.
—Lauren Villagran, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Jan. 2025
America will be destitute without us.
—Katie Smith, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Adjective
So there's a real tug-of-war between being grateful, and feeling destitute and rudderless.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025
After years of war and revolution, Nicaragua was destitute; there was no money for street signs.
—Tim Golden, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2025
That was, until big-hearted border officers took in these destitute immigrants, who found new lives in America as Selma and Lieu, Petunia and Peanut, Cupid, Penelope, Selena and Floyd.
—Lauren Villagran, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Jan. 2025
America will be destitute without us.
—Katie Smith, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destitute
Adjective
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Eagerly drinking the Kool-Aid is Simone DeWitt (Alcock), a formerly impoverished but deeply ambitious upstart from Buffalo who gets a taste of the lifestyle of the rich and famous as Michaela's uppity assistant.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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His father, a Presbyterian minister, was the executive director of the New York City Mission Society, a social-services nonprofit for impoverished children.—
Dwight Garner,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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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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
Noun
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It’s been 14 years since the Census Bureau began issuing reports on poverty that factored in the cost of living.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 May 2025
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Notably absent is a thorough discussion of how socioeconomic factors like poverty are the underlying drivers of why some children are faring so poorly.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The original doesn’t go that deeply into it, but this poor girl was essentially forced to be a teen mom at this time in her life when all of her friends would be graduating high school and dating and thinking about their futures.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
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This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Noun
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In the studio, a bad idea can be put out of its misery within a few minutes.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
30 May 2025
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The Athletic reflects on their 2024-25 efforts, culminating in a 14th-place finish, that caused more misery than joy.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, countless others who chased hot tips and quick wins are broke, both financially and emotionally.—
Shane Enete,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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Image Set in Brooklyn in the summer of 2022, the action takes place in the apartment of Emmy, a playwright freshly cognizant of the danger of being too broke to afford health insurance.—
Laura Collins-Hughes,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Even so, the reset look on the man who’s become the face of the NFL makes a fine symbol for a broader fresh start — a necessity in sharp contrast to where the Chiefs stood this time last offseason.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
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These minimalist gloves are available in two go-with-everything shades—classic black and soft cream—and have a modern, low-profile fit that looks more like an intentional accessory than a skin-care necessity.—
Marie Lodi,
Allure,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destitute. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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