1
as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
many families were left destitute by the horrible fire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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
After years of war and revolution, Nicaragua was destitute; there was no money for street signs.
—
Tim Golden, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2025
Millions of Syrian refugees reside in countries bordering Syria — Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan — and endure precarious conditions in crowded and destitute refugee camps.
—Avishay Artsy, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
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
Then, in 1888, its acres were set aside for disabled and destitute veterans.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Tim Golden, ProPublica, 13 Jan. 2025
Millions of Syrian refugees reside in countries bordering Syria — Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan — and endure precarious conditions in crowded and destitute refugee camps.
—Avishay Artsy, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018
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
Then, in 1888, its acres were set aside for disabled and destitute veterans.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destitute
Adjective
-
With the dwarfs and bandits by her side, Snow White vows to reclaim her parents’ home and restore peace to her impoverished kingdom.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The homes are part of an ambitious five-year plan, announced in 2021, to build 50,000 additional apartments in Pyongyang, where residents’ quality of life is considerably higher than elsewhere in the impoverished country.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
This can manifest in poor financial behaviors like excessive credit card debt, minimal savings, or impulsive investment decisions.—
Shane Enete,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Long hours spent sitting at a desk, driving or looking at screens promote poor posture, where the upper back rounds forward, compressing the rib cage and restricting movement.—
Dana Santas,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Hunter Biden plays the broke card in latest move to fight laptop scandal lawsuit.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
6 Mar. 2025
-
But the Democrats still do not get it, which is why Trump should come to their aid by diverting leftover USAID funds to the Democrat Party which is broke and on the verge of becoming as relevant in U.S. politics as Guatemala, Serbia and Egypt.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Destitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destitute. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share