Destitution

Definitions

1. The action of deserting or abandoning.
   countable, obsolete, uncountable
2. Discharge from office; dismissal.
   archaic, countable, uncountable
3. The condition of lacking something.
   countable, uncountable
4. An extreme state of poverty, in which a person is almost completely lacking in resources or means of support.
   countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“He requires of his fellow man obedience to a very creditable code of morals, but he observes without shame or disapproval his God's utter destitution of morals.”

“Destitution forces many asylum seekers to end⟳ up working for extremely low wages in catering, cleaning and construction, for example, without any protection against unscrupulous employers.”

CEFR level