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
Venezuela’s external liabilities, including arbitration claims and bilateral debts — estimated at $150 billion to $170 billion, according to Reuters — complicates any recovery timeline, said Eric Fine, a portfolio manager from VanEck.
—
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2026
When that happens, a more serious concern tends to set in about whether your delinquent debts could ultimately lead to a lawsuit and a judgment against you in court.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The victory was the latest chapter in a remarkable rise for Macclesfield, who were expelled from the National League five years ago, with debts totalling more than £500,000.
—Reuters 17 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Macclesfield were formed in October 2020 as a phoenix club following the demise of Macclesfield Town, former regulars in the EFL who were wound up over outstanding debts.
—Colin Millar, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Caruso and Steyer could easily finance campaigns for governor, freeing themselves from the chore of raising money and thus incurring political debts to supporters.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Credit-rating agencies saw richer locales as very likely to repay their debts and gave them sweet deals on interest rates, which meant that these towns owed less to those who’d bought their bonds.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
The resolution of casino debts is often its own drama, whether in liquidating assets or arriving at complex arrangements for payment.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Mochen claimed, and text messages from Kaliyev appear to confirm to the Post, that Kaliyev was even barred from practices over the unpaid debts.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2026
When that happens, a more serious concern tends to set in about whether your delinquent debts could ultimately lead to a lawsuit and a judgment against you in court.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026
The victory was the latest chapter in a remarkable rise for Macclesfield, who were expelled from the National League five years ago, with debts totalling more than £500,000.
—Reuters 17 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Macclesfield were formed in October 2020 as a phoenix club following the demise of Macclesfield Town, former regulars in the EFL who were wound up over outstanding debts.
—Colin Millar, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2026
Caruso and Steyer could easily finance campaigns for governor, freeing themselves from the chore of raising money and thus incurring political debts to supporters.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
Credit-rating agencies saw richer locales as very likely to repay their debts and gave them sweet deals on interest rates, which meant that these towns owed less to those who’d bought their bonds.
—Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 6 Nov. 2025
The resolution of casino debts is often its own drama, whether in liquidating assets or arriving at complex arrangements for payment.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 6 Nov. 2025
Mochen claimed, and text messages from Kaliyev appear to confirm to the Post, that Kaliyev was even barred from practices over the unpaid debts.
—Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debts
Noun
-
This is in stark contrast to President Joe Biden’s approach, which was to forgive billions in outstanding obligations as a means of buying political support.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Based on this information, ask me 2-3 clarifying questions about my financial cushion and obligations.—
Cynthia Pong,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Denmark plans tougher deportation laws COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Denmark unveiled a legal reform on Friday allowing foreigners who have been sentenced to at least one year of unconditional imprisonment for serious crimes to be deported.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Prosecutors alleged the other crimes of violence were represented by two stalking charges, arguing Mangione stalked Thompson online and travelled across state lines to carry out the killing.—
Kara Scannell,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In the 1990s, Norton played a key role in ending the city’s financial crisis by brokering a deal to transfer billions of dollars in unfunded pension liabilities to the federal government in exchange for changes to the district’s budget.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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In a typical acquisition, the buyer conducts extensive due diligence to understand the target company’s financial performance, contracts, liabilities, intellectual property, customer concentration, employee matters, and more.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Which draws the attention of another ghost, a French man with a stack of papers documenting the man’s sins.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Whatever your preconceived notions about Feldman are, Hume’s film will expand and challenge them; the movie’s greatness lies in its ability to capture all of Feldman’s contradictions and self-destructiveness, empathizing with him without soft-pedaling his sins.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Delcy Rodríguez said Friday that the amnesty would apply to cases from 1999 to the present, but would exclude those prosecuted for homicide, drug trafficking, corruption and human rights violations.—
Anabella González,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Prosecutors have accused them of civil rights violations for disrupting the Cities Church service.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debts. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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