as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
went from being a penniless girl to owner of her own restaurant
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Recent Examples of penniless
Season 5 also introduces colorful newcomers, like Minnie Driver, who plays a a penniless princess turned hustler who unexpectedly becomes Agence Grateau’s white knight.
—
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
Since then, Federal Reserve locations have reported depleted supplies of pennies, and as of this week, more than 100 of the 165 coin distribution sites across the country are penniless.
—Connor Greene, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
Christophe’s son died penniless and alone on the streets of Paris in October 1805 at the age of only eleven.
—Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Her ex-husband wiped out several bank accounts and disappeared, leaving her and their children practically penniless.
—Essence, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penniless
Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 22 Dec. 2025
Since then, Federal Reserve locations have reported depleted supplies of pennies, and as of this week, more than 100 of the 165 coin distribution sites across the country are penniless.
—Connor Greene, Time, 13 Nov. 2025
Christophe’s son died penniless and alone on the streets of Paris in October 1805 at the age of only eleven.
—Marlene L. Daut
september 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
Her ex-husband wiped out several bank accounts and disappeared, leaving her and their children practically penniless.
—Essence, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penniless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penniless
Adjective
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Salt was another luxury for the impoverished migrants.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
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Cinema-going culture has struggled to take hold in much of South Africa, particularly in townships and other impoverished communities, prompting the organizers to focus on building that culture in the next generation of South African moviegoers and filmmakers.—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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City officials say the long-term leases make buying Liberty Station a poor investment for any potential buyer other than Seligman.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
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Further, according to the paper, when supply tightens, richer nations outbid poorer ones for scarce shipments, exacerbating challenges for vulnerable economies.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The first stretch of the movie is strong, with Kenna, who is too broke for a car or even a phone, hoofing it around town in search of any job willing to hire a broke girl with a criminal record.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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New legislation was intended to limit this, but in 1998, the Fed stepped in when a hedge fund, Long Term Capital Management, went broke.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penniless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penniless. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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