1
as in obligations
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 crimes
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 debts
Optima Tax Relief offers tax resolution services for individuals and businesses, typically for debts over $10,000.
—
Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
And Cannon — who played with the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs — admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s after a series of bad investments and debts left him broke.
—Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Focus on the debts most likely to qualify Not all debts are equally forgiving.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Civil cases with multiple plaintiffs and involving large sums can be assigned there, especially if there are competing claims of contract violations, stolen down payments, mechanic’s leins, bank loans and local property tax debts.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
As older debts are paid off, new bonds are issued within that same rate.
—Kendrick Calfee
february 11, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
At the end of the year, Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign also had $729,000 in other debts, mostly in legal bills.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The judge also linked Chal Misick to money used to pay for expenditures and debts on behalf of Hanchell.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
When the debts are large enough, the debtor calls the shots, because default becomes unbearable.
—Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
And Cannon — who played with the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs — admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s after a series of bad investments and debts left him broke.
—Seung Min Kim, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Focus on the debts most likely to qualify Not all debts are equally forgiving.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 13 Feb. 2026
Civil cases with multiple plaintiffs and involving large sums can be assigned there, especially if there are competing claims of contract violations, stolen down payments, mechanic’s leins, bank loans and local property tax debts.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 12 Feb. 2026
As older debts are paid off, new bonds are issued within that same rate.
—Kendrick Calfee
february 11, Kansas City Star, 11 Feb. 2026
At the end of the year, Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign also had $729,000 in other debts, mostly in legal bills.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The judge also linked Chal Misick to money used to pay for expenditures and debts on behalf of Hanchell.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
When the debts are large enough, the debtor calls the shots, because default becomes unbearable.
—Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debts
Noun
-
To strengthen the economy, Texas must rein in local spending, increase transparency, expand audits of cities, counties, and universities, and consider local spending caps so taxpayers aren’t saddled with unsustainable obligations.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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On a 2009 episode of The Rachel Zoe Project, the stylist’s last-minute work obligations threw a wrench in her plans with her then-husband, Rodger Berman.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway had the option to sentence him to life in prison with the chance for parole after at least 25 years, but Thompson did not face the death penalty given his age at the time of the crimes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Despite the prevalence of narcotics crimes, Jacobson alleges that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos does not want to work with other agencies, including Border Patrol and ICE.—
Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Lucas looked over his roster before the season for its physical strengths and talent liabilities.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Feb. 2026
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Infrastructure projects like pipelines, processing facilities, export capacity, and storage were treated not as liabilities, but as strategic advantages.—
Lynn Granger,
Denver Post,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Its roots are in publicly paying penance for serious sins or crimes in the eyes of the church, like adultery or apostasy, which means renouncing the church and its beliefs.—
Lianna Norman,
Florida Times-Union,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The attempt to expunge Andrew and his sins from the Royal Family is interesting insofar as it is doomed.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The union filed a grievance on Tuesday, alleging violations to a collective bargaining agreement.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debts. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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