destitute
What does "destitute" mean?
Destitute describes a state of extreme poverty where a person lacks the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and shelter. The mental image is one of being completely stripped bare, having no resources or support systems to fall back on. In terms of usage, this word is quite strong and carries a heavy, serious tone. It is typically used in formal writing, journalism, or legal contexts rather than casual conversation. You might hear it used to describe populations affected by natural disasters or individuals who have lost everything due to economic crises.
"destitute" in conversation
Discussing a news report
Did you see the report on the famine?
Did you see the report on the famine?
Yes, thousands are left destitute after the drought.
Yes, thousands are left destitute after the drought.
Used to describe a large group of people affected by a crisis.
Reading a novel
The gambler walked out of the casino, utterly destitute.
The gambler walked out of the casino, utterly destitute.
He really lost everything this time.
He really lost everything this time.
Often paired with 'utterly' to emphasize the completeness of the loss.
"destitute" in a sentence
The family was destitute and had no place to sleep.
The family was destitute and had no place to sleep.
After the war, the entire region was left destitute and in need of aid.
After the war, the entire region was left destitute and in need of aid.
The economic collapse rendered thousands of citizens destitute overnight.
The economic collapse rendered thousands of citizens destitute overnight.
