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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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
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An education advocate, Jackson founded the PUSH/Excel program to motivate Black and impoverished students to achieve excellence through schooling.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Policymakers globally are increasingly worried that the unequal adoption of AI risks widening income and development gaps between rich and poor countries.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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In November, Jesse Jackon was hospitalized again after suffering a fall while protesting poor campus living conditions with students at Howard University.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Becket is broke, disowned and circling a family fortune that never wanted him.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
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Scrounging for any kind of role in 60s New York, chasing girls, lending money to whichever of them was the most broke, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, and Robert Duvall shared the risks, the rejections, and a fascination with the human drama.—
Chris Nashawaty,
Vanity Fair,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penniless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penniless. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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