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 Figuring out how to strategize paying down your debts while also saving for emergencies and big goals is a common dilemma for many. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2026 This cycle continued for years, with Thomas racking up around $75,000 in debt from credit cards and personal loans. — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 Russia is also facing economic and financial challenges due to high military spending and debt. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 Without that alignment, organizations risk creating a patchwork of disconnected AI point solutions that introduce integration complexity, technical debt and inconsistent experiences. — Salvatore Lombardo, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 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
  • Saada has threatened before to reduce the group’s investment during tense negotiations over windowing rules and Canal+ was granted an earlier access to movies after their theatrical run in exchange for its substantial investment obligations.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Any business that outsources development, operations or customer support to third parties should also assume that obligation follows the data, not the org chart.
    — Abhik Biswas, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of obligation
Noun
  • At that point, Jesse had been dead for a decade, and Frank had been tried for crimes three times—in Missouri, then Alabama, and back to Missouri again.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Police said the vandalism was classified as a property crime rather than a hate offense, and the teen was released to his parents.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • Rating sites filled up with one-star scores, and the social media accounts of cast members drew abusive comments.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Achane’s replacement scored at the end of the third quarter pulled Miami within a score, making it 12-10 headed into the fourth quarter.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of score
Noun
  • Now Trump’s folks are rounding up and deporting people who were jailed in their home country for the sin of defending democracy.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • De Biase explained how a snake is associated with Eve and the story of sin in the Bible — but the shoe reframes the connotation of the snake.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • The crackdown ​reflects ⁠growing concern within the government that rising spending on gambling has drained household budgets and contributed to record levels of indebtedness.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026
  • And according to a European intelligence report this past June, Russian lenders are vulnerable due to soaring indebtedness and deteriorating loans.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of indebtedness
Noun
  • Several Japanese nationals, including executives at top Japanese firms, were reportedly detained in August over alleged violations of dual-use goods export restrictions.
    — Anniek Bao,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Merz said Germany would take further steps to defend itself, including against Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers in the Baltic and North seas, airspace violations and drone attacks.
    — Susie Blann, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • At that time, the company’s Fisher-Price, Barbie and American Girl brands were struggling to connect with changing consumer tastes and Mattel was reeling from the recent bankruptcy of Toys R Us.
    — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Following his bankruptcy, Thomas signed up for Pennsylvania's self-exclusion list.
    — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 2 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on debt

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about debt

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