Definitions

destitute

[des-ti-toot, -tyoot] / ˈdɛs tɪˌtut, -ˌtyut /

ADJECTIVE

down and out; wanting

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bankrupt exhausted impoverished indigent insolvent needy penniless poor poverty-stricken strapped

WEAK

beggared bereft busted dead broke deficient depleted deprived of devoid of dirt poor divested drained empty flat flat broke impecunious in need of lacking moneyless necessitous on the breadline on the rocks penurious pinched played-out stony stripped totaled wiped-out without

Antonyms

STRONGEST

affluent rich solvent wealthy

WEAK

lucky prosperous secure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Destitute, he made his home in a pithos, or giant clay pot, using his cloak in place of a bed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

Destitute farmers moved from Oklahoma and adjacent states to the San Joaquin Valley.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 7, 2023

Destitute and facing eviction, her daughter gave birth to her third child.

From New York Times • Oct. 23, 2021

Times are even tougher at the Society for the Destitute Aged’s care home in Harare’s Highfield township.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 15, 2021

Destitute as Ellis felt, she would have resisted such a mockery of benevolence, but from gratitude at the pleasure which it procured to Selina.

From The Wanderer (Volume 2 of 5) or, Female Difficulties by Burney, Fanny

Vocabulary lists containing destitute

A Christmas Carol

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Hamilton

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Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass

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