destitute
/'destitju:t/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- completely wanting or lacking
- writing barren of insight
- young recruits destitute of experience
- innocent of literary merit
- the sentence was devoid of meaning
- poor enough to need help from others