as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
they were so impecunious that they couldn't afford to give one another even token Christmas gifts
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Recent Examples of impecunious
Cowley graduated in 1920, and for a year and a half lived an adventurous, impecunious Grub Street life in New York, before a fellowship took him, now married, back to France for a master’s in French.
—
Michael Gorra, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Lillian Feldman was born to impecunious Jewish emigres in Cincinnati on July 13, 1927, the twelfth of thirteen children who were encouraged by their mother to draw on the walls.
—News Desk, Artforum, 17 Oct. 2024
Among them is the sardonic confidant, St. Quentin; the down-at-the-heels military man, Major Brutt; and the impecunious, high-living chancer, Eddie.
—Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for impecunious
Michael Gorra, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Lillian Feldman was born to impecunious Jewish emigres in Cincinnati on July 13, 1927, the twelfth of thirteen children who were encouraged by their mother to draw on the walls.
—News Desk, Artforum, 17 Oct. 2024
Among them is the sardonic confidant, St. Quentin; the down-at-the-heels military man, Major Brutt; and the impecunious, high-living chancer, Eddie.
—Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for impecunious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impecunious
Adjective
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Powerfully addictive crack cocaine swept though impoverished urban neighborhoods, empowering a new, more ruthless, better armed class of criminals, bringing predictable devastation.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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This village near the Swiss border has had sales tax exemptions since medieval times, which allowed the impoverished, cut-off area to bring in goods.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Still, the storm will provide another test for the Wu administration, which was criticized for its poor snow removal results following last month’s nor’easter.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
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The district’s poor spending practices and a broken culture long precede Allen’s leadership, according trustees and other parties.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impecunious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impecunious. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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