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.

Under the agreement, QVC said its debt will be cut to $1.3 billion from $6.6 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

What’s Next: Madison Air will use the IPO proceeds to reduce its $5.7 billion debt to a more manageable $3.5 billion.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

Consumers are also showing signs of strain, according to delinquency rates on credit cards and other types of consumer debt.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

The group focuses on asset-based finance, corporate debt, real estate and private equity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

“The readers of Grant’s have seen for themselves how a stack of non-investment grade mortgage slices can be rearranged to form a collateralized debt obligation,” one piece began.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

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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