Definitions

in arrears

Part of Speech:

All (7) Adjective (6) Adverb (1)

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due adj.
in the red adj.
owed adj.
receivable adj.
unpaid adj.
unsettled adj.
behind adv.

ADJECTIVE

due

Synonyms

STRONGEST

expected outstanding overdue owed payable scheduled

STRONG

IOU collectible

WEAK

chargeable mature not met receivable to be paid unliquidated unsatisfied unsettled

Antonyms

STRONGEST

paid settled

ADJECTIVE

in the red

Synonyms

WEAK

at a loss bankrupt behindhand defaulting delinquent in debt in dire straits in hock in the hole insolvent losing money nonpaying to the bad unprofitably

Antonyms

WEAK

in the black

ADJECTIVE

owed

Synonyms

STRONGEST

overdue payable unpaid unsettled

STRONG

expected mature owing scheduled

WEAK

IOU chargeable collectible not met outstanding receivable to be paid unliquidated unsatisfied

Antonyms

STRONGEST

paid settled

ADJECTIVE

receivable

Synonyms

WEAK

IOU chargeable collectible expected mature not met outstanding overdue owed owing payable scheduled to be paid unliquidated unpaid unsatisfied unsettled

ADJECTIVE

unpaid

Synonyms

STRONGEST

delinquent outstanding overdue

WEAK

due mature not discharged owing past due payable undefrayed unliquidated unsettled

Antonyms

STRONGEST

paid

WEAK

settled

ADJECTIVE

unsettled

Synonyms

STRONGEST

clouded problematic uncertain unclear undetermined unresolved

STRONG

moot open owing waffling

WEAK

betwixt and between debatable doubtful dubious dubitable due immature outstanding overdue payable pendent pending undecided unfixed unpaid up for grabs

Antonyms

STRONGEST

certain clear definite determined settled sure

STRONG

decided resolved

WEAK

calmed content happy

ADVERB

behind

Synonyms

STRONG

in debt late slow

WEAK

backward behind schedule behind time behindhand belated delayed dilatory have to play catch up overdue sluggish tardy

Antonyms

STRONG

paid paid up

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.

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in arrears

And as a result, their numbers are always out of date by the time they are published, because they are typically reported a month in arrears.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026

"The US remains in arrears, as are many other member states who have yet to fulfil their financial commitments for the current biennium's regular budget," the ILO told AFP in an email Friday.

From Barron's ● Apr. 24, 2026

The latest mortgage-arrears data, via the Canadian Bankers Association, suggest 0.26% of Canadian mortgages are in arrears as of the end of 2025, up from a low of 0.14% in the fall of 2022.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 25, 2026

Jodie Davies, from Tonyrefail, in Rhondda Cynon Taf, owes £1,200 in arrears on her council tax and said councils should contact people earlier if they have missed a payment.

From BBC ● Mar. 15, 2026

The pews were decrepit, the bills were once so in arrears the electricity was nearly turned off, and the padre hadn’t installed air-conditioning, despite summer temperatures that reach 120 degrees.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario

in arrears

Example Sentences

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