1
: unable to pay debts
a bankrupt company
The lawsuit could leave them bankrupt.
The company went bankrupt. [=became unable to pay its debts]
2
—used to say that someone or something completely lacks a good or desired quality
After 10 years in a bad marriage, she was bankrupt emotionally. [=empty of emotions; not able to feel emotions]
a morally bankrupt politician [=an immoral politician; a politician who has no morals]
bankrupts; bankrupted; bankrupting
: to cause (a person, business, etc.) to be unable to pay debts : to make (someone or something) bankrupt
Several risky deals bankrupted the company.
plural bankrupts
: a person, business, etc., that is unable to pay debts
As a lawyer, she specialized in working with bankrupts.
Cite this Entry
“Bankrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/bankrupt. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
