indebtedness

noun

in·​debt·​ed·​ness in-ˈde-təd-nəs 

1

: the condition of being indebted

2

: something (such as an amount of money) that is owed

Synonyms of indebtedness

• debt

Examples of indebtedness in a Sentence

his total indebtedness exceeded a year's income

Recent Examples on the Web

The crackdown ​reflects ⁠growing concern within the government that rising spending on gambling has drained household budgets and contributed to record levels of indebtedness. — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026

And according to a European intelligence report this past June, Russian lenders are vulnerable due to soaring indebtedness and deteriorating loans. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026

The lack of access to institutional credit and chronic indebtedness is also seen by some researchers as a contributing factor to the phenomenon of farmer suicides in rural India. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026

Section 61 generally defines gross income quite broadly, including income from the discharge of indebtedness. — Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

indebtedness

noun

in·​debt·​ed·​ness

1

: the condition of being indebted

2

: something that is owed