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Destitution: meaning, definitions and examples

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destitution

 

[ ˌdɛstɪˈtjuʃ(ə)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

poverty

The state of being extremely poor, lacking the basic necessities of life such as food, shelter, and clothing. Destitution is often characterized by extreme hardship and deprivation.

Synonyms

impoverishment, poverty

Examples of usage

  • Many families in the region live in destitution, unable to afford even a simple meal.
  • The homeless man's destitution was evident from his tattered clothes and empty pockets.

Translations

Translations of the word "destitution" in other languages:

🇵🇹 miséria

🇮🇳 दरिद्रता

🇩🇪 Verelendung

🇮🇩 kemelaratan

🇺🇦 злидні

🇵🇱 nędza

🇯🇵 貧困

🇫🇷 misère

🇪🇸 miseria

🇹🇷 sefalet

🇰🇷 빈곤

🇸🇦 فقر

🇨🇿 bída

🇸🇰 bieda

🇨🇳 贫困

🇸🇮 revščina

🇮🇸 fátækt

🇰🇿 кедейлік

🇬🇪 სიღარიბე

🇦🇿 yoxsulluq

🇲🇽 miseria

Etymology

The word 'destitution' originated from the Latin word 'destitutio', which means 'abandonment' or 'desertion'. Over time, it evolved to represent the state of extreme poverty and lack of resources. The concept of destitution has been prevalent throughout history, as societies have grappled with issues of inequality and deprivation.

See also: destitute.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,953, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.