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.

"Physiological recovery from oxygen debt is more protracted, complex, and occurs over much longer timescales than previously understood, with the elevated heart rate on land likely helping to support a delayed recovery," concluded Walker.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

Also read: I was a slave to credit-card debt, then I got laid off and turned my life around.

From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026

Inspire Brands plans to use proceeds to repay debt under its term loan facility.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

But the proposed merger would saddle the combined company with $79 billion in debt, stoking fears that Paramount would be forced to make steep cost cuts to juggle such a large debt load.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

Anthony borrowed money from friends and family, spent all of her savings, and raised subscription rates, but the newspaper still ended up $10,000 in debt, an amount equal to about $175,000 today.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

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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