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.

Licadho said it has documented 23 suicides and dozens of cases of migration, child labor and decreased food consumption linked to microfinance debt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

The deal will be financed by bank debt against the development as well as AHS Properties’ equity, it said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

A year ago, the weekly index—it measures nine things, from margin debt to trading volume to short interest—had a reading of 0.19.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Oracle confirmed that it doesn’t expect to raise any more debt for the rest of 2026.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

“Hetsnickle was a famous bandapat. The debt of honor is named after her. You know, how I have to save your life because you saved me from that rootbeer? That’s the Hetsnickle debt.”

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins

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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