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
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
Debt, deficits and tough choices ahead With the nation running nearly $2 trillion annual deficits and the debt swelling past $39 trillion, the federal balance sheets have long been operating in the red.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
This diverts from the usual legislative process of amendments, markups and the like, which Huizenga told Newsweek was problematic for debt proposals in the past.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 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
See All Example Sentences for debt
ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
Debt, deficits and tough choices ahead With the nation running nearly $2 trillion annual deficits and the debt swelling past $39 trillion, the federal balance sheets have long been operating in the red.
—Lisa Mascaro, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
This diverts from the usual legislative process of amendments, markups and the like, which Huizenga told Newsweek was problematic for debt proposals in the past.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 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
See All Example Sentences for debt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debt
Noun
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As part of a two-question ballot measure, the Hickman Mills School District is asking voters to approve a general obligation bond to pay down the district’s debt.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
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These agreements are essentially rental leases that include an option (or, in some cases, an obligation) to eventually buy the property after living in it for a period of time.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage?—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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The ranger called crime-scene investigators to the location.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In his first season of organized hoops, at 5 years old, Knueppel didn’t score.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
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Brayden McNabb replied for Vegas (36-26-16) less than three minutes later, sending a shot through traffic to tie the score at 1.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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His resurrection signifies victory over sin, death and despair.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That’s because one way a district can qualify for financial hardship is to have bond indebtedness of at least 60% of the total bonding capacity.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Mar. 2026
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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
Noun
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Magyar may be charged with and convicted of some violation of the law that disqualifies him from public life.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
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Violence is used to enforce discipline, and those accused of theft or rule violations may be executed or disappeared.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Applebee’s can participate in the bankruptcy sale if company executives want to.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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In states that allowed online betting, the study reported a 10% increase in the likelihood of bankruptcy and an 8% increase in debt collection amounts — outcomes that tended to appear about two years after the practice was legalized.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debt. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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