debt

noun

ˈdet How to pronounce debt (audio)
Definition of debtnext
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

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 Through the partnership, ForgiveCo will acquire and permanently eliminate $1 million in medical debt held by local veterans. — Garrett Behanna, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026 The other would be to add it to an increase in the debt ceiling, if applicable. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026 The Iran war explains part of that, but investors also question a government and Congress with no plan to back the debt with future surpluses. — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026 But Ippei Mizuhara, his longtime interpreter, pleaded guilty to stealing almost $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for debt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debt
  1. obligation
  2. crime
  3. score
  4. sin
  5. indebtedness
  6. violation
  7. bankruptcy
Noun
  • Someone who initially buys enough insurance to replace income, pay a mortgage and support young children, for example, could reduce the death benefit later as those obligations disappear.
    — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • As work and home obligations take up more of your focus, burnout can slowly sap your sense of joy and wonder in everyday life.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • Republicans, however, could take advantage of Newsom’s action and cast him as a soft-on-crime liberal who is out of touch with most Americans, which risks turning away moderate voters.
    — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Eisenberg was sworn in as assistant attorney general in charge of the department's National Security Division in June 2025 and oversaw cases involving espionage, terrorism, export control violations, cyber crimes and other matters.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • The receiver caught the ball and left the secondary in the dust for a 58-yard score.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • So from the 6-yard line with 4 ticks left, Barnett hit Caden Piening for the score near the out-of-bounds marker.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of score
Noun
  • The youngster replaced Feyi-Waboso, who was hurt from Angus Bell's hip-drop tackle that earned the prop 10 minutes in the sin-bin, and made an instant impact with a left-wing surge that set up Van Poortvliet’s try.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Some would argue that Paxton’s sins are more exotic than those of your ordinary Texan.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Lula signed into law a measure raising the revenue threshold for individual microentrepreneurs, proposed new initiatives to renegotiate consumer debt and advocated ending online betting, whose expansion has contributed to household indebtedness.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Look, the Kansas Bill of Rights clearly says you cannot be arrested or thrown in jail because of indebtedness.
    — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of indebtedness
Noun
  • The Lakers, playing with Sexton as their primary ballhandler during the stretch, had four turnovers during the drought, including a shot clock violation after a timeout.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The building didn’t just fall into disrepair but was legally condemned by the town of Branford due to fire safety and other code violations.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Prospect Medical filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last January with bankruptcy court proceedings in the Northern District of Texas Dallas Division.
    — Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Chapter 7 bankruptcy will result in liquidation and sale of assets to help repay debts.
    — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of bankruptcy

Browse Nearby Words

debs
debt
debts
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Cite this Entry

“Debt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debt. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about debt

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