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

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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 In exchange, the indictment said, the bettors bribed Beasley — and his debts to Davis were reduced or eliminated. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 And the terms they were offered on a debt management plan just weren’t feasible for them. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026 That pushed the spread over 10-year German Bunds — the benchmark for euro zone debt — to its widest level since November 2011. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 Both will, however, face the same economic challenge at home — a worsening fiscal outlook and growing difficulty servicing the country’s debt, as well as increasing economic precariousness among much of the population. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 23 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
  • Such a decision can affect production scheduling, inventory needs, employee activities and customers’ obligations.
    — Ramachander Rao Thallada, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Anthropic's off-balance-sheet obligations are similarly large.
    — Ashley Capoot,Jordan Novet,Annie Palmer,Lora Kolodny,Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Caleigh Keating, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • Both candidates believe violent crime should be the priority at the district attorney’s office.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The state persistently ranks near the bottom nationally on poverty, crime and public education, and disenchanted voters are pleading for change.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • On the score, rookie cornerback Mansoor Delane had ideal coverage and the Chiefs brought eight on a blitz.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Charlotte Observer score predictions Alex Zietlow remained perfect last week after choosing the Panthers over the Eagles.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of score
Noun
  • Formerly, Christians were taught that greed--that is, the immoderate pursuit and love of money--was a sin.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Per the official logline, in the final season, as the survivors race to bury their sins before rescue arrives and an old flame roars back into town with plans of her own.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Lula signed into law a measure raising the revenue threshold for individual microentrepreneurs, proposed new initiatives to renegotiate consumer debt and advocated ending online betting, whose expansion has contributed to household indebtedness.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Look, the Kansas Bill of Rights clearly says you cannot be arrested or thrown in jail because of indebtedness.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of indebtedness
Noun
  • This was a violation at the opening inspection and was to be corrected prior to opening.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The law firm said that a license plate violation will not add points on your DMV record.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Silverstein came to Spirit from Linens ‘n Things in 2003, well before its 2008 bankruptcy.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Some companies that owned Spirit's planes before bankruptcy will just sell their parts, but some may keep the planes in storage.
    — Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 24 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 28 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about debt

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