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.

Zlatkin says there is still homebuyer interest but many Canadians remain hesitant to move forward while mortgage rates remain high and economic uncertainty makes taking on new debt harder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

The deal will be financed by bank debt against the development as well as AHS Properties’ equity, it said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

The people plugging this shortfall are buyers of U.S. debt.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

In March, Amazon raised $54 billion across U.S. and European debt markets in one of the biggest corporate bond offerings in history.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 10, 2026

In the end, Anthony went back on the lecture circuit to raise money to pay off the debt.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

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!