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Destitute vs Penniless - What's the difference?

destitute | penniless |

As adjectives the difference between destitute and penniless

is that destitute is lacking something; devoid; especially lacking money; poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken while penniless is not having a penny; utterly impoverished; extremely poor.

destitute

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Lacking something; devoid; especially lacking money; poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken.
  • * Bible, Psalm 141:8
    • In thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute .

    Synonyms

    * See also

    penniless

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Not having a penny; utterly impoverished; extremely poor.
  • * 1889 , (Horatio Alger), Driven From Home , ch. 10:
    • A dollar and a quarter seems a small sum, but if you are absolutely penniless it might as well be a thousand.
  • *, chapter=17
    • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=This time was most dreadful for Lilian. Thrown on her own resources and almost penniless , she maintained herself and paid the rent of a wretched room near the hospital by working as a charwoman, sempstress, anything. In a moment she had dropped to the level of a casual labourer.}}

    Synonyms

    * See also