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
However, families without insurance could easily be left destitute by an illness or an accident.
—
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The expense almost left him destitute.
—Nichole Marks, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Doak and the Immigration and Naturalization Service have been sharply criticized, especially by social workers who came into contact with families left destitute because their breadwinners had been deported, often for technical irregularities that were not their fault but the government’s.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
None of this is to suggest that Van Der Beek was anything like destitute.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
The expense almost left him destitute.
—Nichole Marks, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
Doak and the Immigration and Naturalization Service have been sharply criticized, especially by social workers who came into contact with families left destitute because their breadwinners had been deported, often for technical irregularities that were not their fault but the government’s.
—Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
None of this is to suggest that Van Der Beek was anything like destitute.
—Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for destitute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for destitute
Adjective
-
Among the Cambodians to exploit the instability was Toek Tik, a once-impoverished former Khmer Rouge foot soldier whose confessions helped investigators substantiate some of their claims against Latchford.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
-
And the people who got trapped behind—and who are now the impoverished mass of the remaining Cuban population—are the descendants of the slave population, or those who intermarried with the slave population.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
Her outfit was devoid of any other color.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
-
This is a story devoid of childlike wonder, just the horrific evil men are capable of and the small acts of grace found in unspeakable circumstances.—
Chris Nashawaty,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 June 2026
Adjective
-
These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
16 June 2026
-
Equating the Holocaust to Gaza is in extremely poor taste.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Three years into his term, America wasn't broke, but the stock market did experience some of its biggest single-day losses during the coronavirus pandemic.—
Dan Snierson,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
-
This week, Knicks fans had a big win after a big loss; fans of inflation were delighted and World Cup fans went broke.—
Holly J. Morris,
NPR,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Destitute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/destitute. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
