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Definitions

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.

Ms. Ypi tells us that the two had been close enough for her grandfather to once offer to settle the penniless Hoxha’s debts with his Parisian landlady.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

So, if you happen to be one of the winners of the $965 million Mega Millions jackpot, how can you ensure you don’t end up penniless?

From MarketWatch • Nov. 12, 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

Since he’s secretly penniless, Coop keeps up the posture of affluence.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2025

My days were more exciting when I was penniless and had to forage around for my next meal.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

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