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
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
Many thousands, maybe millions, owe Ron a huge debt of gratitude.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2025
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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
Many thousands, maybe millions, owe Ron a huge debt of gratitude.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025
Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country.
—Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 20 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Debt of gratitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debt%20of%20gratitude. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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