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.

We have no debt, our credit-card balances are paid monthly and all taxes have been paid on our funds.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

They may use their own or their families’ savings, qualify for industry-based scholarships, take out personal bank loans, load debt onto credit cards or rely on government-backed student loans.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The Virginia-headquartered bank late Tuesday set aside $4.07 billion to cover estimated expenses from bad debt, compared with expectations of $3.77 billion, according to data compiled by the London Stock Exchange Group.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

I do not recommend running up a bunch of credit card debt to start a music career.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

“No, baby. Those places are traps. That kinda debt is impossible to get rid of. I’ll figure something out.”

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

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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