as in impoverished
lacking money or material possessions
went from being a penniless girl to owner of her own restaurant
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 penniless
Some states are looking to what’s next In the meantime, bills to deal with penniless cash transactions have passed both chambers and await the governor’s signature in Arizona, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
—
Hannah Fingerhut, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, bills to deal with penniless cash transactions have passed both chambers and await the governor's signature in Arizona, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
—ABC News, 11 Mar. 2026
Twenty-four masterpieces, many rarely lent, were gathered from museums all over the world and brought together in the city where Caravaggio, born Michelangelo Merisi, arrived penniless in 1592.
—Nicole Krauss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Immediately, the indelible comedy of the scene kicks in, as dancers and singers reenact the dream, which Golde takes as a sign that daughter Tzeitel should marry penniless but hardworking tailor Motel.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penniless
Hannah Fingerhut, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
In the meantime, bills to deal with penniless cash transactions have passed both chambers and await the governor's signature in Arizona, Florida, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
—ABC News, 11 Mar. 2026
Twenty-four masterpieces, many rarely lent, were gathered from museums all over the world and brought together in the city where Caravaggio, born Michelangelo Merisi, arrived penniless in 1592.
—Nicole Krauss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
Immediately, the indelible comedy of the scene kicks in, as dancers and singers reenact the dream, which Golde takes as a sign that daughter Tzeitel should marry penniless but hardworking tailor Motel.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penniless
Recent Examples of Synonyms for penniless
Adjective
-
Democrats have attacked these anti-fraud policies as an effort to undermine safety net programs for the impoverished.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
Injuries to key players on the Amazin’s contributed to some poor numbers as well.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
On Monday, Pat Riley essentially said what’s broke should be fixed.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
-
This suited Reeves, who, like many of his characters, was broke.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Penniless.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/penniless. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
