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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
destitute
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word 'destitute' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective which means “extremely poor; lacking the necessities of life.” Example: Despite the country's growing economy, there are still many destitute families living in the slums.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Unemployed young people left destitute will not be magically transformed into sharp-suited young entrepreneurs, or walk into jobs and training places that do not exist.
News & Media
"Four years since this crisis began, Syria's people have been plunged into the dark: destitute, fearful, and grieving for the friends they have lost and the country they once knew," said David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee.
News & Media
The move comes after an Observer investigation found evidence that Abu Dhabi's Tourism Development and Investment Company TDICC), which manages the development of luxury resorts and three major museums on Saadiyat, is failing to uphold its own employment policies, with workers left destitute, confined to their quarters and sent home for taking strike action.
News & Media
Their death or maiming leaves families destitute and deprives countries of their most economically valuable citizens.
News & Media
A recent operation to "clean up" cities by bulldozing supposedly illegal dwellings has left another 700,000 people destitute, adding to the ranks of the hungry.
News & Media
Meanwhile China is damaging its relations with South Korea and others.Mostly, though, China fears that if it acknowledges the true nature of the refugee problem, and allows UN officials access to the thousands of destitute North Koreans on its territory, soon outsiders will demand to poke about Tibet and Xinjiang, where China stands accused of treating its own minorities harshly.
News & Media
Even those, like India, that aim at national coverage, leave long gaps between surveys, meaning records are out of date and full of holes.Another common approach is to outsource the task of deciding who is destitute to local leaders or community meetings.
News & Media
Starving, destitute and drenched in the tempest's wake, it is hard to see the Burmese summoning the strength to throw off the tyrants' rule.
News & Media
Some, particularly in the Highlands and islands, were certainly poor, even destitute, and the clearances in the late 1840s and early 1850s were undeniably brutal and often coercive.
News & Media
But even if they are fewer in number and less destitute than often thought, Brazil's urban homeless are still an indictment of a state that has tended to do more for its own workers and pensioners than for the poor.
News & Media
A few years later, pregnant and on the streets, she turned to the network of charities that look after the destitute in Birmingham, especially the Children's Society.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "destitute" to describe a severe lack of basic necessities, emphasizing the extreme level of poverty someone faces. Be mindful of the context and audience, as it can carry a strong emotional charge.
Common error
Avoid using "destitute" interchangeably with "poor". "Destitute" signifies a complete lack of resources for survival, whereas "poor" indicates a relative lack of wealth. "Destitute" is a more extreme condition.
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "destitute" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing them as lacking the basic necessities of life. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts involving poverty and displacement. The AI confirms it as an adjective describing extreme poverty.
Frequent in
News & Media
70%
Formal & Business
15%
Science
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
2%
Wiki
2%
Academia
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "destitute" functions as an adjective signifying extreme poverty and a lack of basic necessities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and typical usage, showing its common appearance across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While synonyms exist, "destitute" carries a specific emphasis on a state of complete lack, distinguishing it from mere poverty. Using it correctly involves understanding its strong connotation and applying it appropriately to describe situations of severe hardship.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
impoverished
Shares the core meaning of extreme poverty, but can sometimes imply a longer-term condition.
penniless
Focuses specifically on the lack of money.
indigent
A more formal term for lacking basic necessities.
needy
Indicates a lack of essential resources, often implying a need for assistance.
poverty-stricken
Emphasizes the severe impact of poverty.
bankrupt
Implies financial ruin and a loss of assets.
bereft of resources
Highlights the absence of necessary means for survival and well-being.
down and out
An informal term for being in a state of extreme hardship.
without means
Simply states the absence of financial or material resources.
in dire straits
Emphasizes the severity of the difficult situation due to lack of resources.
FAQs
How is "destitute" typically used in a sentence?
"Destitute" is commonly used as an adjective to describe someone lacking basic necessities, such as in the sentence, "The war left many families "destitute" and homeless."
What are some synonyms for "destitute"?
Synonyms for "destitute" include "impoverished", "penniless", and "indigent", each with slightly different connotations.
Is it correct to say someone is "becoming destitute"?
Yes, it's perfectly correct to say someone is "becoming destitute" to describe a situation where they are progressively losing their resources and approaching a state of extreme poverty.
What's the difference between "destitute" and "disadvantaged"?
"Destitute" refers specifically to a lack of basic necessities, while "disadvantaged" encompasses a broader range of systemic barriers and inequalities that limit opportunities.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
94%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested