1
as in obligations
something (as money) which is owed
he filed for bankruptcy when his debts exceeded his assets
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in crimes
a breaking of a moral or legal code
forgive us our debts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of debts
Scorpio rules shared resources and mutual debts—not just financial, but emotional.
—
Glamour, 25 Apr. 2026
Distributing the estate After debts and taxes are paid, the court reviews the estate’s final accounting and approves the plan for distributing assets to beneficiaries and heirs according to the will.
—Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
Under current state law, lawmakers must file annual disclosure statements that describe their finances, debts and property holdings, alongside financial information about their spouses.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
The lender is largely looking for undisclosed debts and payments.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
For debts that have grown unmanageable, filing for bankruptcy may also provide a legal pathway to discharge obligations that a relief program couldn't fully resolve.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The cause of his death was the source of wide-spread speculation in the French media, with reports of depression brought on by mounting debts and rumors, never substantiated, that the Michelin Guide was planning to remove one of La Côte d’Or’s three stars.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
The report also claimed that Ronaldinho had amassed debts amounting to more than $2 million.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
But several had histories of unpaid debts that resulted in legal action, two had filed for bankruptcy and three others had faced lawsuits that alleged misconduct in prior law enforcement jobs, the AP found.
—Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Glamour, 25 Apr. 2026
Distributing the estate After debts and taxes are paid, the court reviews the estate’s final accounting and approves the plan for distributing assets to beneficiaries and heirs according to the will.
—Nancy Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026
Under current state law, lawmakers must file annual disclosure statements that describe their finances, debts and property holdings, alongside financial information about their spouses.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
The lender is largely looking for undisclosed debts and payments.
—Jeff Lazerson, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
For debts that have grown unmanageable, filing for bankruptcy may also provide a legal pathway to discharge obligations that a relief program couldn't fully resolve.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
The cause of his death was the source of wide-spread speculation in the French media, with reports of depression brought on by mounting debts and rumors, never substantiated, that the Michelin Guide was planning to remove one of La Côte d’Or’s three stars.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026
The report also claimed that Ronaldinho had amassed debts amounting to more than $2 million.
—Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
But several had histories of unpaid debts that resulted in legal action, two had filed for bankruptcy and three others had faced lawsuits that alleged misconduct in prior law enforcement jobs, the AP found.
—Ryan J. Foley, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debts
Noun
-
The budget emphasizes that HUD funding is insufficient to meet rental assistance obligations.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Those obligations were not met.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Given the scale of Epstein’s crimes, highlighting due-process concerns can feel small-bore, or even like apologism.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The 14-page bill improves enforcement of no-contact orders, ups repeat violations of protection orders to felony offenses, and provides protection to witnesses and victims who report domestic violence crimes.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both liabilities are one-time, extraordinary events with unpredictable costs, stemming from legal processes outside the city’s control.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
-
What apparently happened, we have been told, is that her husband Tim Mynett’s assets were listed last year, but not the liabilities for those assets.—
Joe Soucheray,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There are worse sins in the world.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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Believers confess their sins to a priest, receive spiritual guidance and absolution and typically are required to make an act of contrition like saying specific prayers.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both Israel and Hezbollah have traded accusations of ceasefire violations, with a Lebanese journalist, Amal Khalil, killed in an Israeli airstrike just yesterday.—
Sean Nevin,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Red-light cameras generate municipal revenue by capturing traffic violations, for which drivers are then fined.—
Evy Lewis,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debts. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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