1
as in obligation
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 crime
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 debt
Soaring levels of debt issuance among tech companies have Wall Street on edge, but staff economists at the Federal Reserve aren’t that concerned yet.
—
Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Dozens of Independence homeowners in recent weeks have packed city meetings to raise concerns and ask questions about potential light and sound pollution, wildlife habitat destruction, wastewater management and debt.
—Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Pohlad specifically mentioned the 2023 trade deadline — the Twins were in first place by a slim margin but essentially stood pat — and the 2023 offseason when ownership slashed payroll in response to the team’s swelling debt.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
The study did not take student debt into account, which is a significant burden on many residents.
—Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debt
Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2026
Dozens of Independence homeowners in recent weeks have packed city meetings to raise concerns and ask questions about potential light and sound pollution, wildlife habitat destruction, wastewater management and debt.
—Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2026
Pohlad specifically mentioned the 2023 trade deadline — the Twins were in first place by a slim margin but essentially stood pat — and the 2023 offseason when ownership slashed payroll in response to the team’s swelling debt.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
The study did not take student debt into account, which is a significant burden on many residents.
—Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debt
Noun
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In April 2025, Kansas City voters overwhelmingly approved a $474 million general obligation bond for KCPS, its first successful bond measure in over 60 years.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
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But don’t let an obligation to politeness keep you from clarity.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Last month, her government unveiled a legal reform allowing the deportation of foreigners who have been sentenced to at least one year of unconditional imprisonment for serious crimes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
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Sometimes a provider’s NPI is used without their knowledge or consent, a crime known as NPI theft that is commonly committed to facilitate Medicaid fraud.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In 2025 alone, LAUSD students earned more than 41,000 qualifying AP scores, representing over 124,000 college credits, Coleman said.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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Three De’Anthony Melton free throws got the deficit back to three after another Pelicans score, but the Pelicans held on for the win after a few empty Warriors possessions.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Once chewed up by the machine of expectation and found guilty of the eternal athletic sin of having too much talent too soon, Liu has since learned how to spit back rather than be spit out.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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According to Time and Date, palm leaves symbolize victory and joy among many Christians in the United States, as Jesus died on the cross for the sins of others.—
Marina Johnson,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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If passed, school districts would have to include payments of bonds, indebtedness and contracts.—
Jack Harvel,
Kansas City Star,
20 Feb. 2026
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As part of the hiring process, candidates must clear an indebtedness check.—
Megan De Mar,
CBS News,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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State media quoted Kim saying that any violation of the country’s sovereignty would trigger immediate retaliatory strikes.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
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ByteDance has faced backlash from major Hollywood studios, including Disney and Paramount, for intellectual property violations surrounding its AI video-making tool Seedance.—
Lola Murti,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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State legislators are looking at possible changes to AB 218, which critics say is driving local governments to the brink of bankruptcy.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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Del Taco's Georgia locations have abruptly closed as the franchise owner of the restaurants navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company said.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debt. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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