insolvent

1 of 2

adjective

in·​sol·​vent (ˌ)in-ˈsäl-vənt How to pronounce insolvent (audio)
-ˈsȯl-
1
a
: unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business
b
: having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held
2
: insufficient to pay all debts
an insolvent estate

insolvent

2 of 2

noun

plural insolvents
: an insolvent debtor : a person or entity that is unable to pay debts as they fall due
The country's newspapers regularly published legal notices that announced private assignments for the benefit of creditors, the attachments by creditors against the property of absconding debtors, and court-mandated auctions of assets owned by insolvents.Edward J. Balleisen

Examples of insolvent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
That would cause Social Security to become insolvent in 2032, followed by Medicare in 2030—one and six years sooner than currently projected, respectively. Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 Should the city become insolvent, it would likely get absorbed by Sacramento County and force residents to rely on the county for infrastructure needs and public services. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025
Noun
The diocese acknowledged that the value of Diocesan assets available to resolve claims, including any available insurance coverage, may not be sufficient to cover the claims and could leave the diocese insolvent. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025 This omnibus pledge can have the effect of rendering the debtor insolvent such that any transfer that the debtor tries to make for asset protection purposes is voidable by a creditor. Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insolvent

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1725, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insolvent was in 1591

Cite this Entry

“Insolvent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insolvent. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

insolvent

adjective
in·​sol·​vent (ˈ)in-ˈsäl-vənt How to pronounce insolvent (audio)
: not having or providing enough money to pay debts
an insolvent company

Legal Definition

insolvent

adjective
in·​sol·​vent in-ˈsäl-vənt How to pronounce insolvent (audio)
1
: having ceased paying or unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business compare bankrupt
2
: having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held
3
: insufficient to pay all debts
an insolvent estate
insolvent noun

More from Merriam-Webster on insolvent

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