Dictionary
destitution
noun des·ti·tu·tion \ˌdes-tə-ˈtü-shən, -ˈtyü-\
Definition of DESTITUTION
: the state of being destitute; especially : such extreme want as threatens life unless relieved
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First Known Use of DESTITUTION
15th century
Related to DESTITUTION
- Synonyms
- beggary, destituteness, poverty, impecuniosity, impecuniousness, impoverishment, indigence, necessity, need, neediness, pauperism, penuriousness, penury, poorness, want
- Antonyms
- affluence, opulence, richness, wealth, wealthiness
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
Rhymes with DESTITUTION
absolution, allocution, attribution, comminution, consecution, constitution, contribution, convolution, dissolution, distribution, elocution, evolution, execution, exsolution, institution, involution, persecution, prosecution, prostitution, resolution, restitution, retribution, revolution, Rosicrucian, substitution
DESTITUTION Defined for Kids
destitution
noun des·ti·tu·tion \ˌde-stə-ˈtü-shən, -ˈtyü-\
Definition of DESTITUTION for Kids
: the condition of being very poor
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