penniless

[pen-i-lis] / ˈpɛn ɪ lɪs /

ADJECTIVE

without any money

Synonyms

STRONGEST

bankrupt broke destitute impoverished indigent needy

WEAK

clean cleaned out dead broke dirt poor down to last penny flat flat broke impecunious in the gutter lacking moneyless necessitous on last leg over a barrel penurious poor poverty-stricken ruined strapped tapped out without a dime

Antonyms

STRONGEST

affluent rich solvent wealthy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He smuggled himself into Hong Kong as a penniless 12-year-old escaping famine in communist China.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Wright also exerted financial control, leaving her "penniless".

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

So, if you happen to be one of the winners of tonight’s now $980 million Mega Millions jackpot, then how can you ensure you don’t end up penniless?

From MarketWatch • Nov. 14, 2025

At 17, he ended up penniless in Miami, living with his father in a rat-infested warehouse and cleaning canary cages for cash.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2025

It was a mediocre boardinghouse for penniless students, presided over by a middle-aged couple with a calling for espionage.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

penniless

Example Sentences

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