bankrupt
7 synonyms and 3 antonyms for bankrupt, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Legally unable to pay one's debts.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Legally unable to pay one's debts.
“The company was declared bankrupt after years of falling sales.”
Opposites
How to use bankrupt
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
go bankrupt
declared bankrupt
bankrupt the company
Etymology
From Italian bancarotta, literally "broken bench" — moneylenders who could no longer pay their debts reportedly had their market bench physically broken to signal it publicly.
Full origin of bankrupt →Frequently asked questions
What does “bankrupt” mean?
The word “bankrupt” means legally unable to pay one's debts. In plain terms, financially ruined, unable to pay what is owed.
How do you pronounce “bankrupt”?
“Bankrupt” is pronounced BANGK-ruhpt (/ˈbæŋk.ɹəpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “bankrupt” in a sentence?
Here is “bankrupt” used in a sentence: “The company was declared bankrupt after years of falling sales.”
What part of speech is “bankrupt”?
Depending on how it is used, “bankrupt” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “bankrupt” come from?
The word “bankrupt” comes from Italian. From Italian bancarotta, literally "broken bench" — moneylenders who could no longer pay their debts reportedly had their market bench physically broken to signal it publicly.
Is “bankrupt” a common word?
“Bankrupt” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “bankrupt” have?
“Bankrupt” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: legally unable to pay one's debts.
What is the difference between bankrupt and insolvent?
Bankrupt specifically means legally unable to pay one's debts, often involving a formal legal declaration or process. Insolvent is a broader financial state of being unable to meet debt obligations, which may or may not have resulted in a formal bankruptcy filing.
Can bankrupt be used as a verb as well as an adjective?
Yes, bankrupt functions both as an adjective meaning legally unable to pay one's debts, and as a verb meaning to cause someone or something to run out of money entirely, as in 'the lawsuit bankrupted the company.'
What does it mean to bankrupt a company?
To bankrupt a company means to cause it to run out of money entirely, often through mismanagement, debt, or an overwhelming financial loss. This verb usage describes the action that leads to the state of being bankrupt.
