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
Instead, counselors spend a good 45 minutes or so in a deep dive into all their debts, household expenses, how much money is going out every month, and how much is coming in.
—
Susan Tompor, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
At the end of the year, Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign also had $729,000 in other debts, mostly in legal bills.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The judge also linked Chal Misick to money used to pay for expenditures and debts on behalf of Hanchell.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
These companies specialize in negotiating with the IRS on your behalf, handling paperwork and identifying which resolution option best fits your situation, and working with one can provide crucial guidance, especially for complex cases or substantial debts.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Then a small portion of the oil money would pay off debts racked up during the Saddam regime—they were paid off four years ago— and the rest would pay for the reconstruction of Iraq.
—Julia Simon, NPR, 4 Feb. 2026
When the debts are large enough, the debtor calls the shots, because default becomes unbearable.
—Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Suppliers have also claimed unpaid debts.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
The defense suggested William McGuire, who prosecutors said had gambling debts, may have been killed by someone else.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Susan Tompor, USA Today, 8 Feb. 2026
At the end of the year, Cherfilus-McCormick’s campaign also had $729,000 in other debts, mostly in legal bills.
—Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
The judge also linked Chal Misick to money used to pay for expenditures and debts on behalf of Hanchell.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2026
These companies specialize in negotiating with the IRS on your behalf, handling paperwork and identifying which resolution option best fits your situation, and working with one can provide crucial guidance, especially for complex cases or substantial debts.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Then a small portion of the oil money would pay off debts racked up during the Saddam regime—they were paid off four years ago— and the rest would pay for the reconstruction of Iraq.
—Julia Simon, NPR, 4 Feb. 2026
When the debts are large enough, the debtor calls the shots, because default becomes unbearable.
—Binyamin Appelbaum, Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2026
Suppliers have also claimed unpaid debts.
—Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2026
The defense suggested William McGuire, who prosecutors said had gambling debts, may have been killed by someone else.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 1 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for debts
Noun
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Values to be tested Its obsession is also unusual in an industry prone to mission drift, where tech companies are founded on noble notions of improving humanity — before the obligations to investors take over.—
Parmy Olson,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Instead of using those safeguards, the administration has layered additional education spending on top of the Blueprint, increasing long-term obligations while ignoring current fiscal constraints.—
J.B. Jennings,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway had the option to sentence him to life in prison with the chance for parole after at least 25 years, but Thompson did not face the death penalty given his age at the time of the crimes.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Despite the prevalence of narcotics crimes, Jacobson alleges that Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos does not want to work with other agencies, including Border Patrol and ICE.—
Michael Ruiz , Adriana James-Rodil,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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And the administration is still dealing with the fallout from its agents having shot and killed Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis — situations which have also emerged as major liabilities for the administration.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2026
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Philanthropic partners paused conversations mid-sentence, waiting to see which issues, and which voices, might soon be deemed liabilities in a shifting political and legal landscape.—
Adrianne Wright,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Most of the revelations in the files have not revealed journalistic sins, but have highlighted uncomfortably close relationships with New York media figures and a man who had been convicted of soliciting a minor.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
9 Feb. 2026
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Yasmin, meanwhile, is still haunted by the sins of her father—a figure reminiscent of Robert Maxwell—yet seemingly doomed to enable the same kinds of offenses.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Militants have carried out shooting attacks on troops, and Israel says its strikes are in response to that and other violations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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The union filed a grievance on Tuesday, alleging violations to a collective bargaining agreement.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Debts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/debts. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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