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.

Martinez went into debt to buy an expensive car early in his career.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Laura Shields, 46, and her husband took on credit card debt early in their careers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The couple earn about $240,000 a year now, which has allowed them to pay down a lot of their credit card debt and build savings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

BDC managers tell Barron’s that public debt is just one part of their financing structure and that their debt is laddered with staggered maturities.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

“Now, Mr. Pip,” said Mr. Jaggers, “attend, if you please. You have been drawing pretty freely here; your name occurs pretty often in Wemmick’s cash-book; but you are in debt, of course?”

From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

debt

Example Sentences

Related Words