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

At the Home for Destitute Children, some infants died from what was reported to be teething but Cope suspects it was a more serious cause with teething as the most obvious symptom.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 28, 2022

Destitute, he phoned a help line to ask if there was somewhere he could stay.

From Slate • Jan. 24, 2020

Home.—The annual meeting of the directors of the Home for Destitute Catholic Children on Harrison Av., was held on the evening of the 14th of January.

From Donahoe's Magazine, Volume XV, No. 3 Volume XV (Jan 1886-Jul 1886) by Various

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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