bank·rupt
ˈbaŋk-(ˌ)rəpt 
1
a
: a debtor (such as an individual or an organization) whose property is subject to voluntary or involuntary administration under the bankruptcy laws for the benefit of the debtor's creditors
b
: a person who becomes insolvent
2
: a person who is completely lacking in a particular desirable quality or attribute
a moral bankrupt
1
a
: reduced to a state of financial ruin : impoverished
specifically
: legally declared bankrupt
the company went bankrupt
b
: of or relating to bankrupts or bankruptcy
bankrupt laws
bankrupted; bankrupting; bankrupts
1
: to reduce to bankruptcy
2
: impoverish
defections had bankrupted the party of its brainpower
Synonyms
Examples of bankrupt in a Sentence
Noun
As a lawyer, she specialized in working with bankrupts.
Adjective
The lawsuit could leave them bankrupt.
the company's product development team was bankrupt of ideas
Verb
Several risky deals bankrupted the company.
several bad investments bankrupted him
Recent Examples on the Web
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2023
The plan is intended to prevent the company from being dissolved, forced into liquidation or formally declared bankrupt.
—Michelle Toh, CNN, 19 May 2020
Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
At the same time, the Fed’s superfluous nature on the matter of inflation is a reminder that governments, not banks, cause inflation given their economically bankrupt belief that devaluation of the dollars individuals and businesses earn is somehow good for the economy.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Thing is… Matty realizes, too late, that Senior quietly moved to bankrupt his developer client, making the settlement that Robert agreed to literally worthless (though other claimants will be made whole).
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bankrupt 
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Noun
The fight almost bankrupts the town of Shelby, Montana, which borrowed heavily to stage it.
1930 — Helen Wills Moody wins her fourth straight singles title at Wimbledon with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Elizabeth Ryan.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2023
The plan is intended to prevent the company from being dissolved, forced into liquidation or formally declared bankrupt.
—Michelle Toh, CNN, 19 May 2020
Adjective
States such as China, Brazil, and India are casting themselves as new alternatives to bankrupt Western leadership.
—Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
At the same time, the Fed’s superfluous nature on the matter of inflation is a reminder that governments, not banks, cause inflation given their economically bankrupt belief that devaluation of the dollars individuals and businesses earn is somehow good for the economy.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
In other words, lawsuits that shut down investment and attempt to bankrupt Western energy majors won’t reduce fossil fuel production.
—Dan Ikenson, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Thing is… Matty realizes, too late, that Senior quietly moved to bankrupt his developer client, making the settlement that Robert agreed to literally worthless (though other claimants will be made whole).
—Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bankrupt
Dictionary Entries Near bankrupt
Cite this Entry
“Bankrupt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bankrupt. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bankrupt
1 of 3 noun
bank·rupt
ˈbaŋ-(ˌ)krəpt
: an individual or group who becomes bankrupt
especially
: one whose property by court order is turned over to be managed for the benefit of the creditors
bankrupt
2 of 3 adjective1
: unable to pay one's debts
2
: legally declared bankrupt
the company went bankrupt
bankrupt
3 of 3 verb
: to make bankrupt
Legal Definition
bankrupt
1 of 3 noun
bank·rupt
ˈbaŋ-ˌkrəpt
: a debtor (as an individual or organization) whose property is subject to administration under the bankruptcy laws for the benefit of the debtor's creditors
was adjudicated a bankrupt
see also debtor
bankrupt
2 of 3 adjective
: ruined financially
bankrupt
3 of 3 transitive verb
: to reduce to bankruptcy
was bankrupted by attorney's fees
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