as in debt
something (as money) which is owed
the new buyer must pay the arrearage on the home before moving in
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Recent Examples of arrearage
Back at ground level, heat is becoming a luxury for some Americans: with federal energy aid frozen, arrearages on household utility bills have swelled to $23 billion.
—
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Another major factor is the the arrearage forgiveness programs mandated by the General Assembly and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2024
The bills propose a residential affordability fund, which is estimated to collect $90 million within the first 18 months for bill discounts, administrative costs and arrearage payments, according to a bill analysis from the Senate Fiscal Agency.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 6 Feb. 2024
Even then, water companies must choose to participate in the arrearage programs; those who don’t exclude their customers from financial aid.
—Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2022
The GoFundMe was created with an initial goal of $20,000, to pay off the nearly $14,000 arrearage and put the extra funds toward some minor home repairs.
—Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 29 May 2022
Last month, the Chase Lloyd House Board of Trustees, which oversees the mansion, approved a $24,000 grant from its endowment to help pay off rent arrearage for women living in Annapolis public housing.
—Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2021
Money will come from a state water and wastewater arrearage payment program, administered by the California Water Resources Control Board, that will offer $985 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to pay for the debt.
—Tammy Murga Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2021
Of the 5,800 cases resolved with payment by UniteCT, the average arrearage was just over four months’ rent, indications that most applicants continued to pay some rent during the moratorium.
—Mark Pazniokas, courant.com, 2 Aug. 2021
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Another major factor is the the arrearage forgiveness programs mandated by the General Assembly and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2024
The bills propose a residential affordability fund, which is estimated to collect $90 million within the first 18 months for bill discounts, administrative costs and arrearage payments, according to a bill analysis from the Senate Fiscal Agency.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 6 Feb. 2024
Even then, water companies must choose to participate in the arrearage programs; those who don’t exclude their customers from financial aid.
—Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2022
The GoFundMe was created with an initial goal of $20,000, to pay off the nearly $14,000 arrearage and put the extra funds toward some minor home repairs.
—Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 29 May 2022
Last month, the Chase Lloyd House Board of Trustees, which oversees the mansion, approved a $24,000 grant from its endowment to help pay off rent arrearage for women living in Annapolis public housing.
—Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2021
Money will come from a state water and wastewater arrearage payment program, administered by the California Water Resources Control Board, that will offer $985 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to pay for the debt.
—Tammy Murga Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2021
Of the 5,800 cases resolved with payment by UniteCT, the average arrearage was just over four months’ rent, indications that most applicants continued to pay some rent during the moratorium.
—Mark Pazniokas, courant.com, 2 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arrearage
Noun
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The goal is to address the student loan debt crisis at HBCUs.—
Eric Stirgus,
AJC.com,
21 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, Colorado Springs reported a 4% increase in sales, but realtor Patrick Muldoon cautioned about broader issues, such as a weakening job market and record household debt.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Other obligations, like unpaid child support, may also result in account restrictions or seizures through court or administrative orders.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
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However, Canada’s Online Streaming Act disadvantages American companies and undermines competitiveness by requiring streaming companies to subsidize and promote Canadian content over their own productions through discriminatory obligations that Canadian broadcasters do not face.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arrearage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arrearage. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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