as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
they were so impecunious that they couldn't afford to give one another even token Christmas gifts
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Recent Examples of impecunious
Since then, it has been performed across much of the world, being ideally suited to these impecunious times and very masterfully written.
—
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Cowley graduated in 1920, and for a year and a half lived an adventurous, impecunious Grub Street life in New York, before a fellowship took him, now married, back to France for a master’s in French.
—Michael Gorra, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Lillian Feldman was born to impecunious Jewish emigres in Cincinnati on July 13, 1927, the twelfth of thirteen children who were encouraged by their mother to draw on the walls.
—News Desk, Artforum, 17 Oct. 2024
Among them is the sardonic confidant, St. Quentin; the down-at-the-heels military man, Major Brutt; and the impecunious, high-living chancer, Eddie.
—Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for impecunious
Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Cowley graduated in 1920, and for a year and a half lived an adventurous, impecunious Grub Street life in New York, before a fellowship took him, now married, back to France for a master’s in French.
—Michael Gorra, The Atlantic, 4 Nov. 2025
Lillian Feldman was born to impecunious Jewish emigres in Cincinnati on July 13, 1927, the twelfth of thirteen children who were encouraged by their mother to draw on the walls.
—News Desk, Artforum, 17 Oct. 2024
Among them is the sardonic confidant, St. Quentin; the down-at-the-heels military man, Major Brutt; and the impecunious, high-living chancer, Eddie.
—Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2021
See All Example Sentences for impecunious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impecunious
Adjective
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Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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The redevelopment could begin unfolding as the Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, the former Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, begins construction on a new $35 million headquarters in Clay Arsenal, two major projects for the long-impoverished neighborhood.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Injuries to key players on the Amazin’s contributed to some poor numbers as well.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Although poor students are disproportionately likely to receive special education in New York City, well-off disabled kids are the ones most acutely driving up the budget.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Impecunious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impecunious. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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