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.

The ONS estimated that government debt was equivalent to 94.2% of annual economic output, below the levels recorded in France, Italy, Spain and the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Longer term, the debt overhang will remain throughout the developed markets.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

But with Paramount taking on substantial debt to acquire Warner Bros.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

As of Thursday night, that judgment was classified in the public database as an "unsatisfied record" - meaning the £9,400 debt had not been cleared.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

“Accident or not, we owe Cornflower a debt of gratitude,” replied the Abbot.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

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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