Definitions

debt

[det] / dɛt /

NOUN

money owed to others

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrears bill capital commitment credit damage deficit due indebtedness liability mortgage obligation price tag receipt

STRONG

IOU albatross baggage bite check chit claim cuff debenture debit dues duty encumbrance invoice manifest note reckoning responsibility score tab tally voucher

WEAK

arrearage bad news below the line dead horse in hock in the hole in the red outstandings promissory note red ink

Antonyms

STRONG

irresponsibility

WEAK

asset cash excess profit

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But, it recommended a Debt Relief Order, which has given her the opportunity to reset financially and rebuild some stability.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Debt that matures in 30 years now yields 5.006%.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Appeared in the April 24, 2026, print edition as 'Oracle’s AI Debt Pushes Investors To Limit'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

As of early 2026, 56% of credit-card users with annual household incomes under $50,000 carry a balance from month to month, according to Bankrate’s 2026 Credit Card Debt Report.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

"This is getting us nowhere, Mr. McSouthers. Just write: Westing connection: Education financed by Sam Westing. Debt never repaid."

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

Vocabulary lists containing debt

Material World: Shopping Lingo

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The Great Depression and The New Deal

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Economics

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