owe

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.

A totalitarian leader demands unconditional fealty from everyone around him, but considers himself to owe nothing in return.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

I very much owe my career to her moving up, so I saw that change in the business where women were moving into positions of power.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Sometimes, procrastination is someone’s way of avoiding a fear that they’ll owe the government a great deal of money.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

I've been quite lucky not to experience this but if people challenge you on your sobriety, be firm - you don't owe an explanation to anyone and it should be enough to just say no.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

“He has a twenty. You owe him four dollars and twenty-six cents.”

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein