bankrupt 1 of 3

bankrupt

2 of 3

verb

as in to ruin
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts several bad investments bankrupted him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bankrupt

3 of 3

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bankrupt distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of bankrupt are deplete, drain, exhaust, and impoverish. While all these words mean "to deprive of something essential to existence or potency," bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse.

war had bankrupted the nation of resources

When could deplete be used to replace bankrupt?

While in some cases nearly identical to bankrupt, deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function.

depleting our natural resources

In what contexts can drain take the place of bankrupt?

The synonyms drain and bankrupt are sometimes interchangeable, but drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.

personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

When is exhaust a more appropriate choice than bankrupt?

While the synonyms exhaust and bankrupt are close in meaning, exhaust stresses a complete emptying.

her lecture exhausted the subject

When would impoverish be a good substitute for bankrupt?

The meanings of impoverish and bankrupt largely overlap; however, impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness.

impoverished soil

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bankrupt
Adjective
The plan is intended to prevent the company from being dissolved, forced into liquidation or formally declared bankrupt. Michelle Toh, CNN, 19 May 2020 Ghosn was sent to Japan by Renault in the late 1990s and is credited with turning around a then near-bankrupt Nissan. Washington Post, 12 Nov. 2019
Verb
According to Spirit Halloween’s location map, which highlights stores slated to open in August and beyond, many of these new locations are taking over retail spaces left vacant by these notable bankrupt chains. Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025 He was known for being a turnaround expert, in the 1990s having transformed near-bankrupt Puma SE into one of the world’s leading sports brands. Rick Barrett, jsonline.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
After two decades of free-spending leftist populism that has bankrupted the country, Bolivia has few options but to embrace responsible economic management. Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2025 Yet either change could risk bankrupting the program. Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 3 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bankrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bankrupt
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 15 Feb. 2024
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.
    Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The diocese acknowledged that the value of Diocesan assets available to resolve claims, including any available insurance coverage, may not be sufficient to cover the claims and could leave the diocese insolvent.
    Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
  • This omnibus pledge can have the effect of rendering the debtor insolvent such that any transfer that the debtor tries to make for asset protection purposes is voidable by a creditor.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Ballentine has experience at gunner, where the Patriots have a void opposite Brenden Schooler.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Only the Atlanta Falcons are set to spend less cash on players than their cap tally represents, according to Over the Cap’s math, while 26 teams have already agreed to deals that spread bonus money beyond the length of a player’s contract through what are called void years.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • How to spot a text message scam While Ashley was able to reactivate her account without paying a huge fee, an account that goes delinquent can result in hundreds and even thousands of dollars in penalties in other states.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025
  • After 90 days of nonpayment, student loan servicers report delinquent, or past-due, accounts to major credit bureaus, which use the information to recalculate the borrower’s score.
    Cora Lewis, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • And the MacKenzies are one silver fork away from being destitute.
    Lincee Ray Published, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The Shinnecock Indian Nation occupies one of the most destitute areas of Long Island.
    Air Mail, Air Mail, 16 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Bankrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bankrupt. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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