bankrupt

USAGE SUMMARY

'bankrupt' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person, business, or other entity that is no longer able to meet their financial obligations or is insolvent. For example: "The company went bankrupt after their sales declined drastically."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The screw tightens on benefits, while a ratchet of bankrupt hospitals and rushed closures will stir local protests.

The Guardian - Opinion

But here's the problem: if all you seek is money without values, then you're bankrupt".

The Guardian

In a judgment against the Kremlin, a tribunal in the Hague ruled that the Russian state had sought to bankrupt Yukos, appropriate its assets and prevent its owner, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, from entering politics.

The Guardian - Business

Greece has vigorously rebutted speculation that it will declare a debt default and plunge out of the eurozone if it fails to strike a deal with lenders to keep its bankrupt economy afloat.

The Guardian - Business

Went Portsmouth went bankrupt they owed the St John Ambulance £2,702.

The Guardian - Sport

They are both going bankrupt indisputably, he says, and rabvbits on about the ills of Obamacare.

The Guardian

Opening the debate, the Democratic Unionist minister Arlene Foster condemned Sinn Féin's stance and claimed the party was ideologically bankrupt.

The Guardian

"We have known for some time that Sinn Féin is morally bankrupt in everything that they have been involved in over the past 40 years, but I think that what we have here is an example that they are ideologically bankrupt," she said.

The Guardian

Last June, Westlife singer Shane Filan became the highest-profile Irish person to follow the trend when he was declared bankrupt in Kingston county court in Surrey, a week after his Irish-based property development company went into receivership owing €5.5m to Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland.

The Guardian

Smyth said: "I think the courts are trying to send out more of a warning signal that you can't continue to abuse the system by trotting along, making yourself bankrupt and hoping people don't look at the papers too readily – getting yourself made bankrupt here and after a few months going back to your original jurisdiction and leaving all of your problems behind".

The Guardian

The permanent court of arbitration rejected Moscow's arguments that the assets seizure was driven by tax-collection motives, ruling that the state set out to bankrupt the oil firm in "a devious and calculated expropriation".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bankrupt" to describe a company or organization, ensure you have reliable sources to verify its financial status, as misrepresenting this information can have legal implications.

Common error

While both terms relate to financial difficulty, "bankrupt" has a specific legal meaning indicating a formal declaration of insolvency. "Broke" simply means having no money currently.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bankrupt" is typically as an adjective, describing a noun (person, company, entity) that is in a state of financial ruin and unable to pay its debts. It can also function as a verb, meaning to make someone bankrupt. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bankrupt" is a versatile term primarily used as an adjective to describe a state of financial insolvency. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its widespread usage in various contexts, particularly in news and business. While grammatically straightforward, understanding the legal connotations is essential for accurate use. Alternatives such as "insolvent" or "financially ruined" offer nuanced variations. Remember that "bankrupt" has a specific legal meaning indicating a formal declaration of insolvency, different from simply being "broke". This guide aims to help you navigate the usage of the word "bankrupt" with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insolvent

Similar meaning, focusing on the inability to pay debts.

unable to pay debts

A more descriptive way of stating financial insolvency.

financially ruined

Emphasizes the state of being destroyed financially.

declared insolvent

Highlights the formal declaration of insolvency.

failed financially

A general term for financial failure.

in financial ruin

Focuses on the catastrophic financial state.

belly up

Informal term for business failure.

in receivership

Describes a company under the control of a receiver due to financial difficulties.

gone to the wall

British English idiom for failing completely.

morally corrupt

Used to describe a lack of ethical principles, similar to "morally bankrupt".

FAQs

How is "bankrupt" used in a sentence?

You can use "bankrupt" to describe a person, company, or country that is unable to pay their debts. For example, "The company went bankrupt after years of mismanagement."

What are some synonyms for "bankrupt"?

Alternatives include "insolvent", "financially ruined", or "belly up" depending on the context and formality.

What is the difference between "bankrupt" and "insolvent"?

"Bankrupt" often implies a legal declaration of insolvency, while "insolvent" simply means unable to pay debts. They are often used interchangeably, but "bankrupt" carries a stronger legal connotation.

Can a country be "bankrupt"?

Yes, a country can be described as "bankrupt" when it is unable to meet its financial obligations, especially its debt payments. This is often referred to as a sovereign debt crisis.