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
Les Rubin, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Last fall, it was deemed insolvent and filed the Canadian equivalent of bankruptcy.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
The diocese acknowledged that the value of Diocesan assets available to resolve claims, including any available insurance coverage, may not be sufficient to cover the claims and could leave the diocese insolvent.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for insolvent
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Adjective
The United States is technically insolvent.
—Les Rubin, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Last fall, it was deemed insolvent and filed the Canadian equivalent of bankruptcy.
—Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
But if a well is deserted or an operator insolvent, the state can be responsible for plugging it.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
The diocese acknowledged that the value of Diocesan assets available to resolve claims, including any available insurance coverage, may not be sufficient to cover the claims and could leave the diocese insolvent.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 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 26 Feb. 2026.
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
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