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
Several members of the Finance Committee also questioned whether the enterprise should take on $100 million in debt by selling bonds for a one-year fix.
—
Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Families are willing to go into debt to finance a surgery if doing so means saving a beloved dog’s life.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
However, taxpayers still are on the hook to pay off the remaining $463 million debt through 2037.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
That low-water mark came in February, when Netflix’s $83 billion deal for Warner Bros.’s streaming and studios business was still in play; investors were fretful of massive new debt Netflix would have incurred, along with integration challenges and regulatory hurdles.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debt
Shaun Boyd, CBS News, 2 May 2026
Families are willing to go into debt to finance a surgery if doing so means saving a beloved dog’s life.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
However, taxpayers still are on the hook to pay off the remaining $463 million debt through 2037.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
That low-water mark came in February, when Netflix’s $83 billion deal for Warner Bros.’s streaming and studios business was still in play; investors were fretful of massive new debt Netflix would have incurred, along with integration challenges and regulatory hurdles.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for debt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debt
Noun
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The initiative represents a pivotal shift in how the kingdom approaches its cultural heritage and environmental obligations.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
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His father, a real estate developer, had lost generations of Bessent family wealth by overleveraging his obligations.—
Fatima Hussein,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Noun
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The evidence relating to these crimes was of special interest, given that Kirwan’s murder and Gately’s surveillance are also part of the charge against Kinahan.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
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Butts is charged with one count of false pretenses ($100,000 or more), three counts of false pretenses ($50,000 or more but less than $100,000), two counts of false pretenses ($20,000 or more but less than $50,000), 12 counts of identity theft, and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The ball slid right underneath his glove, allowing two runs to score, and Semien to end up at second.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
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Richter came to the plate in the top of the sixth with one out and the score tied 2-2.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Song of the Goddess, 1992, which Pau made while living in New York, is a tribute to the secret real-life romance between two female Cantonese opera stars, Yam Kim-fai and Pak Suet-sin.—
Pauline J. Yao,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
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What’s a worse sin/crime — declaring an obvious murder a suicide to protect a perverted crony?—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
26 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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Felicia Anderson, 39, is wanted on a half-dozen criminal counts, including first-degree assault, second-degree assault and weapons violations.—
Alexa Ashwell,
Baltimore Sun,
1 May 2026
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This is a brazen violation of international law.—
Lincoln Anderson,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Airlines have been adding flights since Spirit’s bankruptcy filing last year on some of its routes and at major airports.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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While travelers can file claims in bankruptcy proceedings, those tied to points are likely to be last in line for payment, assuming any money is available.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debt. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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