BANKRUPT Synonyms: 128 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

bankrupt 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of bankrupt next

as in devoid

utterly lacking in something needed, wanted, or expected the company's product development team was bankrupt of ideas

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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

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bankrupt

3 of 3

noun

as in derelict

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saint

as in insolvent

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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

Examples of bankrupt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Groucho Marx plays Rufus T. Firefly, leader of the small bankrupt country Freedonia. —

Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 8 Aug. 2024 Although the Tucker Corporation raised $17 million in an industry-leading stock IPO, the ill will of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and some politicians, doomed the company, which was bankrupt by March of 1949. —

Robert Ross, Robb Report, 16 July 2024

Verb

To guard against a catastrophic storm that would bankrupt them, smaller insurers rely on reinsurance – insurance for insurance companies – to cover nearly 40% of the properties in the state. —

Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 July 2024 Whistler also was ordered to pay half the court costs, which bankrupted him. —

Alicia Ault, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 July 2024

Noun

China’s Hong Kong puppet regime, albeit bankrupt of any legitimacy, is still unwilling to cede power to the people. —

Joshua Wong, Quartz, 3 Sep. 2019 From Henry Ford to Donald Trump, America has lionized business leaders (and shameless bankrupts) who disdain history. —

Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 June 2019 See all Example Sentences for bankrupt

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bankrupt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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“Bankrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bankrupt. Accessed 15 Sep. 2024.

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Last Updated: 24 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences

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Synonyms of bankrupt

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