DEBTS Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

debts

noun

plural of debt

as in obligations

something (as money) which is owed he filed for bankruptcy when his debts exceeded his assets

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in crimes

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 debts To provide this protection, the agreement should clearly address each person's separate and marital debts and assets. — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2026 Verité interviewees described using reimbursements to clear debts, repair homes, pay university tuition and finance medical treatment. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026 With debts racking up, Ina loses the family’s bus company, forcing her to shift between jobs, from construction to becoming a bar entertainer, therefore forging an identity through toil. — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026 That can be a big issue right now, as credit card balances and other debts are currently a major issue for millions of Americans. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 It's based on several factors, including your history of paying debts on time and credit utilization. — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 About $1 billion in unpaid debts was added in less than two years during Johnson’s term as of November 2025, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 That’s after excluding wealth from the top 1% of households, subtracting debts and other liabilities, as well as deducting retirement spending, charitable donations, taxes and fees. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026 There was plenty of evidence on this point, the most important being that the Kittrells were being chased by creditors at the time of their transfers and the transfers left them insolvent and unable to satisfy their debts. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for debts

Noun

Since the early 1980s, their summer and weekend retreat from social obligations had been a 300-acre estate in South Kent.

— Robert D. Mcfadden, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2026
There were plenty of options, from excursions and cultural experiences to restaurants and time by the pool or beach, but none felt like obligations.

— Judith Garrison, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of obligations

Noun

As someone who counsels and advocates for people who have been convicted of the worst crimes imaginable, Hood often faces criticism from the victims’ families.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026
For more than a century, people have wondered whether Hyde was the innocent victim of an amazing set of coincidences or a heartless killer who never paid for his crimes.

— Dan Kelly August 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of crimes

Noun

Likewise, when crime bosses become international liabilities that could hamper Beijing’s relations with other countries, or when their political patrons fall and there are fewer political costs to targeting them, Beijing will act.

— Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026
Leaving the United States fiscal liabilities at an all-time, historically high level.

— Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of liabilities

Noun

Fans of improv, musicals and audience participation will thoroughly enjoy this performance and should be prepared to repent for sins like eating a hamburger, owning too many snakes or yearning for a younger man.

— Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026
Seven of our contributors gamely shared (some of) their secret sins.

— Sabrina Jaszi, The Dial, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of sins

Noun

Four of seven members agreed with the District’s staff recommendation that the school had addressed the violations and should keep its charter.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Major was charged with one count of conspiracy and six counts of Lacey Act violations, and Eborn was charged with one count of conspiracy and seven counts of Lacey Act violations.

— Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of violations

Browse Nearby Words

debt

debts

debug

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Debts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debts. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of debts

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on debts

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

expeditious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes