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.

Goldman Sachs analyst Joe Ritchie believes Honeywell’s automation business could be worth about $85 billion, or about $125 a share, adjusting for debt.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

Microfinance aimed to foster prosperity but stoked hardship for those borrowers who took on debt they couldn’t afford.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

But he and his team would also have to make $6 billion in cuts and take on $79 billion in deal debt.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2026

They’ve also seen the leverage level as a key issue: The combined companies would emerge with $79 billion in debt on the books.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

“I need it so much. I’m dreadfully in debt, and it won’t be my turn to have the rag money for a month.”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

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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