insolvent

1 of 2

adjective

in·​sol·​vent (ˌ)in-ˈsäl-vənt How to pronounce insolvent (audio)
-ˈsȯl-
1
a
: unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business
b
: having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held
2
: insufficient to pay all debts
an insolvent estate

insolvent

2 of 2

noun

plural insolvents
: an insolvent debtor : a person or entity that is unable to pay debts as they fall due
The country's newspapers regularly published legal notices that announced private assignments for the benefit of creditors, the attachments by creditors against the property of absconding debtors, and court-mandated auctions of assets owned by insolvents.Edward J. Balleisen

Examples of insolvent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Trump’s agenda would make the popular government program, relied upon by millions of American seniors, insolvent in six years — shrinking the current timeline by a third, the group found. Kevin Breuninger,lorie Konish, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2024 According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Social Security trust funds will become insolvent by 2034. Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
The group found that Trump’s agenda would make the government program insolvent in six years, shrinking the current timeline by a third, and expanding Social Security’s cash shortfall by trillions of dollars. 5. Kristian Burt, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2024 Trump's change would make Social Security’s retirement trust fund insolvent more thanone year earlier – in early 2032 instead of late 2033 -- and the initial 21% cut across the board would deepen to a 25% cut, CRFB said. Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for insolvent 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insolvent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1725, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insolvent was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near insolvent

Cite this Entry

“Insolvent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insolvent. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

insolvent

adjective
in·​sol·​vent (ˈ)in-ˈsäl-vənt How to pronounce insolvent (audio)
: not having or providing enough money to pay debts
an insolvent company

Legal Definition

insolvent

adjective
in·​sol·​vent in-ˈsäl-vənt How to pronounce insolvent (audio)
1
: having ceased paying or unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business compare bankrupt
2
: having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held
3
: insufficient to pay all debts
an insolvent estate
insolvent noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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