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.

The paper alleges that Minetti described the child she adopted as being abandoned at birth, although court papers show both parents are still alive, but destitute.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

The farm Ordway received in Missouri, as a reward for his great services to the expedition, was destroyed by the 1811-12 New Madrid earthquakes—leaving his children destitute.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

He is not destitute: He owns his home and has relationships with his siblings and with some nieces and nephews.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

Roughly 40–45% of giving flows to religious organisations, with a comparable share directed to beggars and destitute people, especially in urban areas.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Perhaps it was the constant tangible evidence that we were destitute.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

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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