destitute

What does “destitute” mean?

adjective.without the basic necessities of life.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages addressing themes of poverty, social justice, or economic disparity. It emphasizes a severe lack of resources and can evoke sympathy or urgency, distinguishing it from similar words like "impoverished," which may suggest a less extreme condition.

Common Confusions

Destitute implies a complete lack of basic necessities, while impoverished usually suggests a state of reduced wealth that may still allow for some basic needs to be met.

Example Sentences

• The family was left destitute after losing everything in the fire.

• She preferred the destitute explanation to the complicated one.

Word Parts: How to Remember “destitute”

Break “destitute” into its parts: de- (down, away, un-). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: de- down, away, un- (Latin)