as in debt
something (as money) which is owed
the new buyer must pay the arrearage on the home before moving in
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Recent Examples of arrearage
Back at ground level, heat is becoming a luxury for some Americans: with federal energy aid frozen, arrearages on household utility bills have swelled to $23 billion.
—
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Another major factor is the the arrearage forgiveness programs mandated by the General Assembly and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2024
The bills propose a residential affordability fund, which is estimated to collect $90 million within the first 18 months for bill discounts, administrative costs and arrearage payments, according to a bill analysis from the Senate Fiscal Agency.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 6 Feb. 2024
Even then, water companies must choose to participate in the arrearage programs; those who don’t exclude their customers from financial aid.
—Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2022
The GoFundMe was created with an initial goal of $20,000, to pay off the nearly $14,000 arrearage and put the extra funds toward some minor home repairs.
—Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 29 May 2022
Last month, the Chase Lloyd House Board of Trustees, which oversees the mansion, approved a $24,000 grant from its endowment to help pay off rent arrearage for women living in Annapolis public housing.
—Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2021
Money will come from a state water and wastewater arrearage payment program, administered by the California Water Resources Control Board, that will offer $985 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to pay for the debt.
—Tammy Murga Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2021
Of the 5,800 cases resolved with payment by UniteCT, the average arrearage was just over four months’ rent, indications that most applicants continued to pay some rent during the moratorium.
—Mark Pazniokas, courant.com, 2 Aug. 2021
Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
Another major factor is the the arrearage forgiveness programs mandated by the General Assembly and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2024
The bills propose a residential affordability fund, which is estimated to collect $90 million within the first 18 months for bill discounts, administrative costs and arrearage payments, according to a bill analysis from the Senate Fiscal Agency.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 6 Feb. 2024
Even then, water companies must choose to participate in the arrearage programs; those who don’t exclude their customers from financial aid.
—Dorany Pineda, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2022
The GoFundMe was created with an initial goal of $20,000, to pay off the nearly $14,000 arrearage and put the extra funds toward some minor home repairs.
—Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 29 May 2022
Last month, the Chase Lloyd House Board of Trustees, which oversees the mansion, approved a $24,000 grant from its endowment to help pay off rent arrearage for women living in Annapolis public housing.
—Washington Post, 1 Dec. 2021
Money will come from a state water and wastewater arrearage payment program, administered by the California Water Resources Control Board, that will offer $985 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to pay for the debt.
—Tammy Murga Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Oct. 2021
Of the 5,800 cases resolved with payment by UniteCT, the average arrearage was just over four months’ rent, indications that most applicants continued to pay some rent during the moratorium.
—Mark Pazniokas, courant.com, 2 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for arrearage
Noun
-
Farmers were up to the task, because the value of their land was skyrocketing, and many bankers encouraged them to take on large amounts of debt to increase the size of their operations (a move that would come back to haunt them during the farm crisis of the 1980s).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
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The review will also examine ongoing litigation with the county over the city’s $18 million unpaid water debt and identify quick, cost-effective solutions for residents.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Due to Brigham’s indefinite incarceration and inability to earn an income, Taylor is seeking a lump-sum child support payment from his estate to satisfy his monthly obligation until the child graduates from high school or turns 18.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
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The commission also emphasized that Verizon’s stricter unlocking obligations never applied industry-wide.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Arrearage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/arrearage. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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