destitution

American  

[des-ti-too-shuhn, -tyoo-] / ˌdɛs tɪˈtu ʃən, -ˈtyu- /

noun

1. lack of the means of subsistence; utter poverty.

   Antonyms:

   wealth, affluence

2. deprivation, lack, or absence.

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destitution British  

/ ˌdɛstɪˈtjuːʃən /

noun

1. the state of being destitute; utter poverty

2. rare lack or deficiency

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Usage

What are other ways to say destitution? Destitution is utter poverty or the lack of the means of subsistence. How does this noun compare to synonyms poverty and indigence? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.

Other Word Forms

• predestitution noun

Etymology

Origin of destitution

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin dēstitūtiōn- (stem of dēstitūtiō ) an abandoning, equivalent to dēstitūt ( us ) ( destitute ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

"If we violate the ban, we face prison. If we comply, we face destitution," one unnamed farmer in Helmand province told BBC Pashto this summer.

From BBC

The UN-backed body said more than half a million people across Gaza were facing "catastrophic" conditions characterised by "starvation, destitution and death".

From BBC

Launching the first legal challenge against the deal in the High Court in London, his lawyers argued that there was a "real risk of destitution" if he was deported to France.

From BBC

Last week a UN-backed hunger monitor said there was now famine in Gaza City and that more than 500,000 people in Gaza were facing "starvation, destitution and death".

From BBC

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said more than half a million people were facing "catastrophic" conditions characterised by "starvation, destitution and death".

From BBC