bankrupt 1 of 3

bankrupt

2 of 3

verb

as in to ruin
to cause to lose one's fortune and become unable to pay one's debts several bad investments bankrupted him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

bankrupt

3 of 3

noun

Synonym Chooser

How is the word bankrupt distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of bankrupt are deplete, drain, exhaust, and impoverish. While all these words mean "to deprive of something essential to existence or potency," bankrupt suggests impoverishment to the point of imminent collapse.

war had bankrupted the nation of resources

When could deplete be used to replace bankrupt?

While in some cases nearly identical to bankrupt, deplete implies a reduction in number or quantity so as to endanger the ability to function.

depleting our natural resources

In what contexts can drain take the place of bankrupt?

The synonyms drain and bankrupt are sometimes interchangeable, but drain implies a gradual withdrawal and ultimate deprivation of what is necessary to an existence.

personal tragedy had drained him of all spirit

When is exhaust a more appropriate choice than bankrupt?

While the synonyms exhaust and bankrupt are close in meaning, exhaust stresses a complete emptying.

her lecture exhausted the subject

When would impoverish be a good substitute for bankrupt?

The meanings of impoverish and bankrupt largely overlap; however, impoverish suggests a deprivation of something essential to richness or productiveness.

impoverished soil

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of bankrupt
Adjective
Trump pardoned the founder of Nikola, a bankrupt electric truck maker who was convicted of securities fraud. Matthew Cullen, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 More: Trump pardons Trevor Milton, founder of bankrupt truck maker Nikola convicted of fraud Federal prosecutors had said as cryptocurrencies proliferate, companies engaged in the virtual economy become critical gatekeepers to ensure markets are fair, efficient and secure. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
What’s decided could bankrupt Greenpeace’s US operations and deal a devastating blow to free speech and protest, experts say. Laura Paddison, CNN, 18 Mar. 2025 The price: Definitely amongst the cheapest places to eat and drink at on this list, Terracotta won’t bankrupt you, promise. Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Mar. 2025
Noun
The plan is intended to prevent the company from being dissolved, forced into liquidation or formally declared bankrupt. Michelle Toh, CNN, 19 May 2020 India was granted independence in 1947 by a Britain left bankrupt after World War II. Cassie Werber, Quartz, 17 Oct. 2019 See All Example Sentences for bankrupt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bankrupt
Adjective
  • Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.
    Michael Abbott, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Delle, devoid for so long from its intrinsic need for social interaction might be filling in the gaps by talking to himself.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 14 Feb. 2023
Verb
  • Justin Champagnie hit a 3-pointer, the Heat had a backcourt violation and then Carrington ruined Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s 40-point game by dropping this dagger on him.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • This omnibus pledge can have the effect of rendering the debtor insolvent such that any transfer that the debtor tries to make for asset protection purposes is voidable by a creditor.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • This omnibus pledge can have the effect of rendering the debtor insolvent such that any transfer that the debtor tries to make for asset protection purposes is voidable by a creditor.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • However, the void years tacked onto it made Smith difficult to keep around, and the Lions ultimately parted ways.
    Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
  • For the first time in its 157-year history, the Grand National steeplechase is declared void because of a false start.
    Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • He was charged the same day a grand jury indicted Tyler Tyrone Hollins, 20, of Lauderdale Lakes, on charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent, court records show.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
  • He was charged the same day a grand jury indicted Tyler Tyrone Hollins, 20, of Lauderdale Lakes, on charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a delinquent, court records show.
    Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Some of the 221 Nicaraguans were left completely destitute.
    CD Goette-Luciak, Miami Herald, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The bank seizes the family’s assets, leaving them relatively destitute.
    Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • This 24-hour dive near Uptown is for true degenerates looking to extend the party to unholy hours.
    David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2025
  • At another point, a surface-to-air missile takes out a passenger airliner, something that really happened — but the attack is as purposeless here as the tragic original event, other than to remind us that Valet, who surveys the wreckage for valuables, is a degenerate.
    Boris Fishman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bankrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bankrupt. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on bankrupt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!