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 Now, those same buyers are returning to showrooms and unfortunately dragging a record-high amount of debt into new loans. — Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 25 July 2026 Millennials were supposed to be one generation with one story — priced out, saddled with debt, perpetually behind. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 25 July 2026 And the local government is still paying back the debt for those bonds. — Sofi Zeman july 24, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026 As a result, some are taking on credit card debt to help bridge the gap. — Ryley Amond, CNBC, 24 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
  • Later in the day, discussions began to accelerate, with Villa moving to close the deal, which centred on an initial loan with a conditional obligation to buy.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The European Commission previously said AliExpress breached its obligations under the DSA, which required it to diligently assess and mitigate the risks of counterfeits.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 22 July 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • The resident, who asked not to be identified, said that crime and other types of violence in the area have become increasingly common since the COVID-19 pandemic.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
  • While following the money may be difficult, there are other signs of the growing role of organized crime in politics.
    — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • His 2025 reality included middling separation scores and rates against both man and zone coverage.
    — Jake Ciely, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • The personal finance site then assigned the cities a score out of 100.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of score
Noun
  • Among Ashley’s many sins, none were more wicked than the alienation of club legends, particularly Keegan.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Not because sin is gone, but because technology must mature beyond exploiting it.
    — Regan Peng, Forbes.com, 22 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
  • 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
Definition of indebtedness
Noun
  • The state ethics commission accused the Georgia Republican Assembly and its political action committee of failing to disclose more than $180,000 of contributions and other violations.
    — David Wickert, AJC.com, 22 July 2026
  • The citations were issued for violations that included speeding, not adhering to traffic signs and signals, unsafe turning movements, use of cellphones and driving without a license.
    — Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 July 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • In 2025, the district became the first in nearly 13 years to seek a state bailout loan to avoid bankruptcy, joining only nine others since 1990.
    — Velvet Wu July 25, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026
  • In April, the company that owns the retail programming company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 24 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 28 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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