Basic Details
Word: Destitution
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The state of being extremely poor and lacking the basic necessities of life.
Synonyms: Poverty, hardship, deprivation
Antonyms: Wealth, prosperity, affluence
Idioms and Phrases
- Down and out: Refers to someone who is in a bad situation, often financially. Example: "After losing his job, he found himself down and out for months."
- On the breadline: Describes someone living just above the level of poverty. Example: "With rising costs, many families are now living on the breadline."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The charity aims to help those in destitution by providing food and shelter.
Example 2: After the disaster, many families faced destitution, struggling to find basic resources to survive.
Example 3: The novel depicted the harsh realities of destitution and the resilience of those affected.
Fun Fact
The word "destitution" comes from the Latin "destitutus," meaning "to abandon" or "to forsake." This reflects the extreme condition of being removed from basic needs.
Famous Quote
"Poverty is the worst form of violence." Mahatma Gandhi
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "destitution" mean?
a) A state of extreme wealth
b) The state of being extremely poor
c) The act of helping others
d) A type of shelter
Answer: b) The state of being extremely poor
2. Which of these is a synonym of "destitution"?
a) Comfort
b) Wealth
c) Hardship
d) Success
Answer: c) Hardship
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "destitution"?
a) Deprivation
b) Poverty
c) Prosperity
d) Hardship
Answer: c) Prosperity
4. Which sentence uses "destitution" correctly?
a) The destitution of the city was evident in the newly constructed buildings.
b) She felt destitution after winning the lottery.
c) The charity aims to help those living in destitution.
d) Destitution is a type of food served in restaurants.
Answer: c) The charity aims to help those living in destitution.
5. Which idiom describes a situation similar to destitution?
a) On the breadline
b) Over the moon
c) Cold as ice
d) A piece of cake
Answer: a) On the breadline
