Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Completely lacking or without something essential or desirable: This meaning describes an absolute absence of a particular quality, attribute, or resource.
   • Extremely poor; lacking the means to provide for material needs: This meaning describes a state of severe poverty where one lacks basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Lacking something):
  • The desert landscape was destitute of vegetation.
  • His argument was destitute of logic.
• Adjective (Extremely poor):
  • The charity provides food for destitute families.
  • After the factory closed, many workers were left destitute.

Advanced Usage

• "to be destitute of": This is a formal construction used to emphasize a complete absence. It is often followed by an abstract noun.
  • The report was destitute of any meaningful data.
• "the destitute": Used as a plural noun to refer collectively to people who are extremely poor.
  • The new program aims to provide shelter for the destitute.

Variants and Related Words

• Destitution (n): The state of being destitute; extreme poverty.
  • The war led to widespread destitution.

Synonyms

• Devoid of: Entirely lacking or free from.
• Bereft of: Deprived of or lacking something, especially a non-material quality.
• Impoverished: Reduced to poverty; very poor.
• Penniless: Having no money; very poor.

Antonyms

• Affluent: Having a great deal of money; wealthy.
• Abundant: Existing or available in large quantities.
• Replete with: Filled or well-supplied with something.

Adjective

1. completely wanting or lacking
   • writing barren of insight
   • young recruits destitute of experience
   • innocent of literary merit
   • the sentence was devoid of meaning
2. poor enough to need help from others