Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yamagami is reported to have told investigators he targeted Abe because he blamed the 67-year-old for allegedly promoting the church, which he said had bankrupted his mother and the wider family.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2025
The alleged Abe killer told police that his motive was the former prime minister’s link to the church that had bankrupted his family due to his mother’s excessive donations.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 11, 2023
Japanese media have published a letter Mr. Yamagami reportedly wrote days prior to the assassination, in which he claimed the donations had bankrupted his family.
From Washington Times ● Aug. 10, 2022
“It doesn’t work. People aren’t silly about things. It’s so crazy — if I had bankrupted Lehman Brothers from a two-man office in Columbus, Ohio, I should be pope, not running for president.”
From Salon ● Feb. 19, 2016
I had thought that I had bankrupted my spirit, but I found that there was a new passion in me to which my past sufferings taught no lesson.
From Prester John by John Buchan
