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.

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

Rather than equity, it is funded by debt, with the amount tied to AI totaling around $1.2 trillion, 14% of all investment-grade debt.

From MarketWatch • May 22, 2026

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage failed to pay a debt of £9,400 and had a County Court judgment imposed against him in 2024.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

And I could tell Brother Zesht had no intention of honoring the debt, if ever they met again.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Vocabulary lists containing debt

Material World: Shopping Lingo

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

The Great Depression and The New Deal

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Economics

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!