Definition

Noun: * The condition of having no money; complete lack of financial resources. It describes a state of extreme poverty where one possesses little to no money.

Usage

"Pennilessness" is a formal noun used to describe a severe state of financial destitution. It emphasizes the complete absence of monetary means. * It is often used in sociological, economic, or literary contexts. * It describes a prolonged or absolute condition, not a temporary shortage of cash.

Examples

• The economic crisis plunged thousands of families into utter pennilessness.
• After his business failed, he faced a period of pennilessness and homelessness.
• The novel explores the themes of wealth, pennilessness, and social mobility.

Advanced Usage

• "to be reduced to pennilessness": to be brought into a state of having no money.
  • The gambling addiction reduced him to pennilessness.

Variants and Related Words

• Penniless (adjective): having no money; extremely poor.
  • He was a penniless artist living in a small attic.
• Penury (noun): extreme poverty; destitution. (A close synonym, often more severe or literary.)
• Impecuniousness (noun): the state of having little or no money. (A formal synonym.)

Synonyms

• Destitution
• Indigence
• Impecuniousness
• Penury
• Insolvency (specifically the inability to pay debts)

Antonyms

• Affluence
• Wealth
• Prosperity
• Solvency

Noun

1. a state of lacking money