1
as in obligation
something (as money) which is owed
he filed for bankruptcy when his debts exceeded his assets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Gierek planned to pay him for the killings with four 8-balls of cocaine and forgiving a $2,000 debt, according to the news outlet.
—
Rhiannon Saegert, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The couple frequently fought over finances, including a $1.2 million debt and Vo’s extramarital affairs, Knox said.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
In just three years—despite war and relentless bombardments—these enterprises became profitable, paid off debts, and contributed hundreds of millions to the state budget.
—Oleksandr Kubrakov, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images Former President Joe Biden forgave more student debt than any other president.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for debt 
Rhiannon Saegert, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025
The couple frequently fought over finances, including a $1.2 million debt and Vo’s extramarital affairs, Knox said.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025
In just three years—despite war and relentless bombardments—these enterprises became profitable, paid off debts, and contributed hundreds of millions to the state budget.
—Oleksandr Kubrakov, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds | AFP | Getty Images Former President Joe Biden forgave more student debt than any other president.
—Annie Nova, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for debt
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debt
Noun
-
While changes to the administration of loans may occur, the underlying obligations are expected to persist.—
Hannah Parry,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Grande added that labels know how a young star’s life will change and have the obligation to protect them.—
Kalia Richardson,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
By contrast, in fiscal year 2024, 51 percent of the people ICE arrested had been convicted of a crime, and an additional 21 percent had criminal charges pending against them.—
Nathaniel Rakich,
ABC News,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The report, calling for review of a sentence after a person has served five years regardless of the original sentence or crime of conviction, is a blueprint for addressing the hyper-punitive sentencing of the past several decades.—
Steve Zeidman,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Your scores add something that otherwise is not there, as opposed to strengthening things [like picture and sound design] that are already there.—
Brian Davids,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Feb. 2025
-
The team combined race, a new addition to this year’s world championships, sees one skier compete in the downhill and another in the slalom, with their scores added together in the final leaderboard.—
George Ramsay,
CNN,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Even President Joe Biden’s effort to cancel certain student loan indebtedness has been defended as an exercise of prosecutorial discretion.—
Stephen L. Carter,
The Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2025
-
These agreements were amended to increase the maximum principal indebtedness and extend the maturity date to December 31, 2025.—
Quartz Bot,
Quartz,
13 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Others, like the lecherous bishop (Peppe Lanzetta), seek to use her cerebral interests for a few quick sins of the flesh.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Emilia Pérez’s sins of misrepresentation were legion.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Total assets for the union increased 17% to $418 million, while liabilities rose 28% to $318 million, including $226 million owed to players from revenue generated by the union’s licensing arm, THINK450.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
30 Dec. 2024
-
However, the costs relate to current year payroll costs, and do not provide an accurate picture of how the raises will increase the pension liabilities that result as well.—
John A. Rasimas,
Hartford Courant,
27 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Since this was a probation violation, Einstein was sent back to jail.—
Keith Sharon,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The consequences for violations are not clearly spelled out, but the ban is broader and took effect sooner than the deadline under the California Phone-Free Schools Act.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near debt
Cite this Entry
“Debt.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debt. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share