in·sol·vent
(ˌ)in-ˈsäl-vənt 
-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
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
Edward J. BalleisenExamples of insolvent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Sixteen property insurers operating in the state have gone insolvent since 2017, and 16 have withdrawn from the state.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
This omnibus pledge can have the effect of rendering the debtor insolvent such that any transfer that the debtor tries to make for asset protection purposes is voidable by a creditor.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insolvent
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.
Adjective
Should the city become insolvent, it would likely get absorbed by Sacramento County and force residents to rely on the county for infrastructure needs and public services.
—Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Sixteen property insurers operating in the state have gone insolvent since 2017, and 16 have withdrawn from the state.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
This omnibus pledge can have the effect of rendering the debtor insolvent such that any transfer that the debtor tries to make for asset protection purposes is voidable by a creditor.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
This omnibus pledge can have the effect of rendering the debtor insolvent such that any transfer that the debtor tries to make for asset protection purposes is voidable by a creditor.
—Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insolvent
Cite this Entry
“Insolvent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insolvent. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insolvent
adjective
in·sol·vent
(ˈ)in-ˈsäl-vənt
: not having or providing enough money to pay debts
an insolvent company
Legal Definition
insolvent
adjective
in·sol·vent
in-ˈsäl-vənt
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share