1
as in obligation
something (as money) which is owed
he filed for bankruptcy when his debts exceeded his assets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of debt
According to Heat World, Eugenie and Beatrice are increasingly worried that they might be forced to help pay off their mother’s debts.
—
Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 30 May 2026
Declining enrollment, high operating costs, weak reserves, deferred maintenance, debt and unclear strategic identity proved fatal.
—Christos Korgan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Data center construction has stalled, and banks have grown wary of the glut of debt piling up behind it.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
Counselors can also potentially enroll you in a debt management plan, which can consolidate payments and reduce interest rates.
—Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for debt
Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 30 May 2026
Declining enrollment, high operating costs, weak reserves, deferred maintenance, debt and unclear strategic identity proved fatal.
—Christos Korgan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
Data center construction has stalled, and banks have grown wary of the glut of debt piling up behind it.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
Counselors can also potentially enroll you in a debt management plan, which can consolidate payments and reduce interest rates.
—Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for debt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debt
Noun
-
This year, Davis began the process of shifting some sidewalk repair obligations onto adjacent property owners to address a repaving backlog and citywide budget deficit.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
29 May 2026
-
Gomez also criticized the public notice that warned broadcasters about their public interest obligations.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
And now that she's gained true-crime stardom from the documentary, their grief has been compounded.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 May 2026
-
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage?—
Gina Kalsi,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Covarrubias tied the score 1-1 with an RBI single to left-center in the fifth.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
-
If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
My youth was my downfall, my sin love, and the go-between a snowy day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 May 2026
-
For pilgrims, Hajj, performed over five days, can be a deeply moving spiritual experience and a chance to seek God’s forgiveness and the erasure of past sins.—
Baraa Anwer,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Chinese private sector indebtedness is now the highest in the world.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
-
Upon completion of the transaction, Aeffe would be released from its indebtedness and would also be substantially devoid of assets.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The facility was inspected by the department three other times in the last five years and was cited for violations unrelated to chemicals and storage.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Rafa confesses to eating chocolate in violation of his strict diet.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
At the same time, companies that go through leveraged buyouts are ten times more likely to enter bankruptcy than peers that haven’t been taken private.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
-
From Silicon Valley to Ukraine Pathak is best known for previously leading Synapse, a controversial fintech platform that declared bankruptcy in 2024.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debt. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
