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.

Panic buying fuel in Sri Lanka has brought back memories of 2022, when the economy tanked, with inflation hitting 70 percent after Colombo defaulted on its $46 billion external debt.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

They kicked in early this year when fear of a “SaaSpocalypse” swept debt markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Ned Davis Research’s Joe Kalish is interested in pivoting to Treasuries, even as the debt market wraps up a tumultuous week.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Lindsay Nead: I’ve heard people say, “Oh, I fully maxed my credit card to get clothing for the show” or “I’m in crazy debt, I left my job.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Another person would have been crying at the idea of debt, or at least getting angry or stressed out.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

debt

Example Sentences

Related Words