penniless

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.

When butcher Asser Levy died in Colonial New York, he had gone from penniless immigrant to successful businessperson by meeting the booming city’s food needs.

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

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

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

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

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

When Nina had arrived in Ketterdam a year ago, she’d been friendless, penniless, and far from home.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo