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.

Advice NI's head of Money, Debt and Quality, Sinéad Campbell, says that stagnant wages and rising costs are pushing more people into debt.

From BBC • May 20, 2026

Debt securities aren’t generally what enthrall young reporters.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Debt that matures in 30 years now yields 5.006%.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Debt for some large tech players is already on the rise: Meta’s debt-to-equity ratio was 39% last year, up from just 8% five years prior.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

"This is getting us nowhere, Mr. McSouthers. Just write: Westing connection: Education financed by Sam Westing. Debt never repaid."

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

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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