1
as in obligations
something (as money) which is owed
he filed for bankruptcy when his debts exceeded his assets
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crimes
a breaking of a moral or legal code
forgive us our debts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debts
This includes your income, monthly expenses and outstanding debts to determine whether paying your tax bill would prevent you from covering basic living costs like housing, food and utilities.
—
Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Wyoming enacted a law allowing rural hospitals to file Chapter 9 bankruptcy, normally reserved for financially stressed cities to reorganize debts and repay creditors while protecting them from legal action.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
The company had outstanding debts as of February 2025, according to the most recent court documents.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Filing for Chapter 7 can discharge eligible unsecured debts entirely; Chapter 13 allows for a structured repayment plan.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
With Mercury meeting both Saturn and Mars in your eighth house of transformation, financial matters, debts or emotional entanglements could demand more of your attention.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
And the firm will handle payment of valid debts, making sure no fraudulent expenses are charged by a family member or neighbor.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Those who owe between $25,000 and $49,999 will repay over 15 years; balances ranging from $50,000 to $99,999 will be repaid over 20 years; and debts of $100,000 or more will have a 25-year repayment term.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
The court oversees the collection of assets, the payment of debts and taxes, and the distribution of any remaining assets to heirs.
—Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Wyoming enacted a law allowing rural hospitals to file Chapter 9 bankruptcy, normally reserved for financially stressed cities to reorganize debts and repay creditors while protecting them from legal action.
—ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
The company had outstanding debts as of February 2025, according to the most recent court documents.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Filing for Chapter 7 can discharge eligible unsecured debts entirely; Chapter 13 allows for a structured repayment plan.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
With Mercury meeting both Saturn and Mars in your eighth house of transformation, financial matters, debts or emotional entanglements could demand more of your attention.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
And the firm will handle payment of valid debts, making sure no fraudulent expenses are charged by a family member or neighbor.
—Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
Those who owe between $25,000 and $49,999 will repay over 15 years; balances ranging from $50,000 to $99,999 will be repaid over 20 years; and debts of $100,000 or more will have a 25-year repayment term.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 1 Apr. 2026
The court oversees the collection of assets, the payment of debts and taxes, and the distribution of any remaining assets to heirs.
—Naomi Cahn, The Conversation, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debts
Noun
-
The letter declared the company in default of its contractual obligations with Miami-Dade County and demanded a fix to problems that had forced garages to let an unknown number of travelers exit without paying.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
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Lamont and the legislature also failed to budget adequately for certain legal obligations.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Jenkins said Lazo's crimes led ride-hailing companies to change their practices to increase rider safety.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Daniel Alaniz Pineda, 19 at the time; his brother Jordan Castillo, 17; and 16-year-old Miguel Angel-Martinez hatched a plan to rob Canoy that set the crimes in motion.—
Shannon Tyler,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
House disclosures show Swalwell has owed between $50,000 and $100,000 on student loans for more than a decade; his most recent paperwork shows the family holds between $15,000 and $50,000 in credit card liabilities apiece for Chase and American Express.—
Ben Paviour,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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All of his options come with serious liabilities, not least the fact that Iran appears to consider its own position to be relatively strong, given its de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz and, therefore, the global price of oil.—
Nancy A. Youssef,
The Atlantic,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Woods’ reported admission that his eyes were off the road, whether true or not, is indicative of the warped hierarchy of driving sins our society has established.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
5 Apr. 2026
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The bible writes that Jesus carried the cross to Calvary, where he was crucified and died for the forgiveness of sins.—
Elijah Westbrook,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Will the agency adopt the model of personal injury attorneys and serial plaintiffs who have abused the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Unruh Civil Rights Act to shake down unsuspecting business owners for purely technical violations of the law?—
Adam Summers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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Authorities said the suspect was transported to the Central Booking Intake Facility and charged with first- and second-degree murder, assault and handgun violations.—
Todd Karpovich,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debts. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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