DESTITUTE Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

destitute

adjective

ˈde-stə-ˌtüt

Definition of destitute

as in impoverished

lacking money or material possessions many families were left destitute by the horrible fire

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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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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 The workers on the platform were Asian, black, Houma Indian, a few destitute Cadiens. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026 Foster died destitute in 1864, after falling and injuring himself in the bathroom of a hotel on the Bowery, becoming perhaps the first of many famous wastrels in American popular music. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 Early state laws offered limited divorce grounds, often leaving women destitute. — Patricia Fersch, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 The now-tony West London locale was considered a destitute enclave for artists and bohemians at the time, and Hockney's flat epitomized this lifestyle. — Annabelle Dufraigne, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for destitute

Recent Examples of Synonyms for destitute

Adjective

The impoverished Reds work as slave labor in the mines of Mars, while the super-strong Golds rule the solar system and war on each other.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Prosecutors accuse him of participating in schemes to divert hundreds of millions of dollars from Venezuelan government programs intended to provide housing, food and other necessities to the country’s impoverished population.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of impoverished

Adjective

Measles usually kills two or three people in every 1,000 cases, the WHO says, but the disease can be more deadly in poorer nations because of factors such as malnutrition.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
That receiver sends that poor defender into next week at the pylon.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Chastain goes for broke with melodrama as both the real and fake Mommies.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
The fact that the region’s broke local government is paying a total of 12 million for a renewable partnership with the Centre Pompidou doesn’t help.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of broke

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destiny

destitute

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“Destitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destitute. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of destitute

adjective

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