debt

noun

ˈdet How to pronounce debt (audio)
Definition of debtnext
1
as in obligation
something (as money) which is owed he filed for bankruptcy when his debts exceeded his assets

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crime
a breaking of a moral or legal code forgive us our debts

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of debt Power & Light, in fact, never has generated the revenue to meet debt obligations. — Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 An explosion in borrowing costs would signal that France is at the mercy of the bond market, which has started pricing in growing odds of a debt default. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 Climate events have worsened the debt challenge in developing countries. — Justin Worland, Time, 17 Oct. 2026 More than Democrats, because the DNC has literally more debts than cash. — Jacob Brogan, Vox, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debt
  1. obligation
  2. crime
  3. score
  4. sin
  5. indebtedness
  6. violation
  7. bankruptcy
Noun
  • Given that the United States keeps getting mired in errant conflicts, Congress urgently needs to reassert its constitutional obligation to approve acts of war and oversee retrenchment.
    — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Council members discussed how to balance the nonprofit’s need for a long-term agreement to attract donors with the city’s need to ensure the building remains in use and the organization fulfills its obligations.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • Xuan’s attorney, Mitchell Krems, previously noted his client had never been convicted of a crime.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The frontrunner is Marine Le Pen, who has worked for years to make her far-right party, the National Rally, more electable while campaigning on immigration, crime, and denunciation of an out-of-touch political class.
    — Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • After having run for 128 yards and two scores against Los Angeles, Walker has amassed 655 yards and six touchdowns on the ground while adding two TDs as a receiver.
    — Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Tight end Foster Moreau caught two touchdown passes from Stroud, who also connected with Jaylin Noel for a 13-yard score in the third quarter for a 24-14 lead.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of score
Noun
  • Catholic teaching still calls suicide a grave sin, but recognizes mental illness can diminish responsibility; advocates want mental health ministries in parishes worldwide.
    — Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • If the sin of Mars’ album was being too predictable, Styles’ bold and unexpected Kiss All the Time.
    — Alan Light, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • But the world’s two biggest economies have been diverging in key ways with implications for future growth and indebtedness.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Wall Street has expressed concerns about the company’s indebtedness — and taming its debt obligations will be a sizable chore for Ellison and his team.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of indebtedness
Noun
  • And unlike state authorities who can be sued for civil rights violations in state courts, federal law enforcement authorities are generally shielded from such lawsuits based on legal precedents.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Chicago should provide workable loading zones, preserve first-offense warnings, and publicly report whether violations and crashes actually decline.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy follow different processes, which can affect how people rebuild their finances.
    — Andreina Rodriguez, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Boston Finance Group drew money from CSNT almost every quarter for a decade, starting in 2010, according to an analysis by a forensic accountant hired by the bankruptcy trustee who pored through both CSNT and Boston Finance Group's bank records.
    — Cristian Benavides, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of bankruptcy

Browse Nearby Words

debs
debt
debts
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Cite this Entry

“Debt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debt. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on debt

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about debt

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