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 Awakening Uranus in your 12th House of Solitude forms a trine with Pluto in your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources, stirring private realizations around trust, debt, vulnerability, or emotional labor. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026 Without that support, many Americans face mounting debt and an increasingly difficult – if not impossible – path to homeownership and wealth accumulation. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 18 July 2026 City officials said the city would not need new taxes to pay for the bond debt. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2026 The report then stripped out liabilities, which includes mortgage debt, of $5 trillion and subtracted the wealth of the top 1%, estimated at $28 trillion. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 17 July 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
  • But when a mysterious stranger begins blackmailing Neve, she is forced to compromise every legal, moral, and ethical obligation to gain an acquittal — or else risk her dark secrets being exposed.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 15 July 2026
  • Former European Commissioner Thierry Breton was targeted partly for sending a letter to X in 2024 concerning X’s obligations under the Digital Services Act.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • In the neo-noir crime thriller, Cole (Dane DeHaan) is a thief who makes a living hacking people's bank accounts from his car.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 July 2026
  • But what does that do to the right of anyone else to say he indeed was arrested and convicted of a crime?
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • In 2020, as critics of standardized tests made similar equity arguments, the UC system decided to remove the use of SAT and ACT test scores in admissions.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • American Tropical Products, 235 North Industrial Boulevard in Bedford, had a score of 99.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of score
Noun
  • The big mic drop at the conclusion of the finale turns out that Paula is a stone-cold (if possibly accidental) killer after all, and that the shadowy Souter Group is going to make her pay for her sins.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 July 2026
  • Mary’s valley of sin was exalted and Simon’s mountain of pride was made low through the love of God.
    — Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Section 61 generally defines gross income quite broadly, including income from the discharge of indebtedness.
    — Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 29 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
Definition of indebtedness
Noun
  • On June 27, 2026, at Trinity Pride Fest in Fort Worth, Texas, street preachers Richard Penkoski and David Grisham were subjected to multiple violations of their First Amendment rights while attempting to preach on public property.
    — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • However, Pregen said city inspectors later signed an affidavit of compliance certifying Martinez had corrected the violations roughly two months ago.
    — Larry Seward, CBS News, 14 July 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • According to Huang, this lifeline kept Nvidia from bankruptcy, allowing the company to develop the later Riva 128 and GeForce lines of graphics cards.
    — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • According to reports from that time, bankruptcies, divorces, domestic abuse and mental health issues all appeared to be on the rise.
    — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 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 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on debt

Nglish: Translation of debt for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about debt

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