debt of gratitude
noun phrase
: appreciation or thanks that someone should give another person
We owe them a debt of gratitude for all the help they've given us.
Examples of debt of gratitude in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Randall is owed a debt of gratitude for championing the important and too-often overlooked culinary contributions of African Americans.
—
Brad Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
In many ways, the American people owe a debt of gratitude to the early champions of longevity medicine.
—Jordan D. Metzl, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
Thomas Jefferson, as secretary of state, passionately advocated honoring the treaty, viewing it as a debt of gratitude to a nation that shared republican ideals and had sacrificed much for American liberty.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Nonetheless, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi also owes a debt of gratitude to its Bilbao predecessor, a building considered by many to be Gehry’s magnum opus.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
But Schwarzenegger, Brown and Newsom owe him a debt of gratitude.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Every actor who wants to use their celebrity to further a charity owes a debt of gratitude to Redford; every activist who ever called a boldfaced name to platform their cause can thank the man who provided the road map.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum owes a strange debt of gratitude to President Trump: His attacks on Mexico have rallied the country behind her, diverting attention from her moves to undermine democratic institutions and cozy up to Cuba.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
Every Floridian owes him a debt of gratitude for that.
—Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
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Brad Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
In many ways, the American people owe a debt of gratitude to the early champions of longevity medicine.
—Jordan D. Metzl, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026
Thomas Jefferson, as secretary of state, passionately advocated honoring the treaty, viewing it as a debt of gratitude to a nation that shared republican ideals and had sacrificed much for American liberty.
—Daniel Ross Goodman, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
Nonetheless, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi also owes a debt of gratitude to its Bilbao predecessor, a building considered by many to be Gehry’s magnum opus.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
But Schwarzenegger, Brown and Newsom owe him a debt of gratitude.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Sep. 2025
Every actor who wants to use their celebrity to further a charity owes a debt of gratitude to Redford; every activist who ever called a boldfaced name to platform their cause can thank the man who provided the road map.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum owes a strange debt of gratitude to President Trump: His attacks on Mexico have rallied the country behind her, diverting attention from her moves to undermine democratic institutions and cozy up to Cuba.
—Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025
Every Floridian owes him a debt of gratitude for that.
—Chris Dorsey, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debt of gratitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debt%20of%20gratitude. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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