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Definitions

go broke

VERB
fail
Synonyms
STRONGEST
break close drop end finish
STRONG
crash defalcate default dishonor fold overdraw repudiate terminate
WEAK
be cleaned out be in arrears be ruined be taken to the cleaners become insolvent close down close one's doors drop a bundle go bankrupt go belly up go bust go into Chapter 11 go out of business go to the wall go under go up lose big lose one's shirt
Antonyms
STRONGEST
begin commence continue start
WEAK
accomplish achieve capture complete deliver earn gain merit obtain procure prosper reach succeed win

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.

You might spend a bundle on merchandise, but you’re unlikely to go broke buying food.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

An estimated 78% of NFL players go bankrupt or are under financial stress within two years of retirement, according to CNBC, while 60% of NBA players go broke or bankrupt within five years of retirement.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025

Sometimes you go broke and tell your funny story about the importance of due diligence to young investors.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

"At least back home in Nigeria, if you go broke, I can find my sister or my parents and go and eat free food. It's not the same here. You will go hungry."

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2025

“We go’n get rich or go broke, Grandpa?”

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.