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.

Jason Arasheben was $28,000 in debt back then, running low on options.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

The U.S. housing bubble was largely financed through private debt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

More long-term debt to deal with the deficit will likely lower the price of Treasuries.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

They’ve also seen the leverage level as a key issue: The combined companies would emerge with $79 billion in debt on the books.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

“I’m in your debt until I can return the favor. We bandapats have a code of honor.”

From "Invisible Inkling" by Emily Jenkins

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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