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.

Cardiff Crown Court heard on Thursday Nasir, freed in January, could not pay any more because she was on benefits and all but penniless.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

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

“Flummoxed by the lack of resources”—in other words, aware that a penniless Uganda needed to reform or collapse—he “comfortably settled” into the role of Western lackey.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

Its inhabitants are those of “there will always be an England” England: stern vicars, timid curates, lords and earls, penniless titled wastrels living on allowances from their uncles, imperious aunts, upper-crust twits.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2025

I had started the term penniless, and been scraping by ever since.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss