destitution

noun

des·​ti·​tu·​tion ˌde-stə-ˈtü-shən 

-ˈtyü-

: the state of being destitute

especially : such extreme want as threatens life unless relieved

Synonyms

• beggary
• destituteness
• impecuniosity
• impecuniousness
• impoverishment
• indigence
• necessity
• need
• neediness
• pauperism
• penuriousness
• penury
• poorness
• poverty
• want

Choose the Right Synonym for destitution

poverty, indigence, penury, want, destitution mean the state of one with insufficient resources.

poverty may cover a range from extreme want of necessities to an absence of material comforts.

the extreme poverty of the slum dwellers

indigence implies seriously straitened circumstances.

the indigence of her years as a graduate student

penury suggests a cramping or oppressive lack of money.

a catastrophic illness that condemned them to years of penury

want and destitution imply extreme poverty that threatens life itself through starvation or exposure.

lived in a perpetual state of want

the widespread destitution in countries beset by famine

Examples of destitution in a Sentence

widespread destitution in Third World countries

Recent Examples on the Web

There once was a country whose citizens were in total destitution. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 14 June 2024

The last time the Giants scored more than three runs was April 23, nine games ago, outdoing even the offensive destitution to finish last season. —Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 4 May 2024

While poverty was widespread across the country, those living in conflict zones are being pushed deeper into destitution, with women and children disproportionately affected, the report found. —Helen Regan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

Beyond air pollution there was destitution in 1975: 8% unemployment. —Andy Kessler, WSJ, 31 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above