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Definitions

on the rocks

PHRASE
destitute
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bankrupt exhausted impoverished indigent insolvent needy penniless poor poverty-stricken strapped
WEAK
beggared bereft busted dead broke deficient depleted deprived of devoid of dirt poor divested drained empty flat flat broke impecunious in need of lacking moneyless necessitous on the breadline penurious pinched played-out stony stripped totaled wiped-out without
Antonyms
STRONGEST
affluent rich solvent wealthy
WEAK
lucky prosperous secure
PHRASE
insolvent
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bankrupt broke failed indebted strapped
STRONG
lost
WEAK
broken busted foreclosed in Chapter 11 in Chapter 13 in receivership in the red out of money taken to the cleaners unbalanced undone wiped-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
rich solvent wealthy
WEAK
moneyed
PHRASE
ruined
Synonyms
STRONGEST
collapsed demolished ravaged smashed wrecked
STRONG
abolished annihilated crashed crushed decayed desolated exterminated extinguished extirpated subverted totaled
WEAK
extinct torn down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
sober
WEAK
flourishing intact mended preserved prosperous protected repaired restored rich saved solvent successful wealthy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Part of the concern came from a Wall Street Journal report that Nvidia’s deal to provide ChatGPT owner OpenAI with up to $100 billion could be on the rocks, given a funding delay.

From Barron's • Feb. 4, 2026

Now, the AI startup’s relationship with the Pentagon is on the rocks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

While the decision is debated, scientists are desperate to get their gloved hands on the rocks.

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

While she closes this chapter on the peak of New York’s social pyramid, the society queen’s marriage is very much on the rocks.

From Salon • Aug. 11, 2025

“Yeah,” I agreed, though I never knew anyone like him, who scribbled those secrets on napkins and ate them, or stuffed them in their pockets, or burned them ceremoniously on the rocks around the pagoda.

From "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" by A.S. King