indebted

adjective

in·​debt·​ed in-ˈde-təd How to pronounce indebted (audio)
1
: owing gratitude or recognition to another : beholden
2
: owing money

Examples of indebted in a Sentence

thereafter forever felt indebted to the producer for giving her her lucky break
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Starring Lee Jung-jae, the series follows a group of indebted individuals who are lured into a macabre number of challenges that promise riches for the winner. Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 Still, according to the investigative media outlet Mongabay, Petroperú has accumulated nearly $100 million in penalties for environmental damage across the country — sums the highly indebted state-company is not likely to be able to pay in the foreseeable future. Sabrina Weiss, The Dial, 23 Sep. 2025 The 1929 margin calls amplified this, as leveraged (read indebted) investors dumped stocks to cover their borrowing. Steve Booren, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025 Given the sharp revenue declines, narrow margins, and a heavily indebted balance sheet, the micro-cap stock appears cheap for a reason and is better left alone. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for indebted

Word History

Etymology

Middle English indetted, from Anglo-French endetté, past participle of endetter to run into debt, from en- + dette debt

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of indebted was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indebted.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indebted. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

indebted

adjective
in·​debt·​ed in-ˈdet-əd How to pronounce indebted (audio)
: being in debt : owing something (as money or gratitude)

More from Merriam-Webster on indebted

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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