indebtedness

noun

in·​debt·​ed·​ness in-ˈde-təd-nəs How to pronounce indebtedness (audio)
Synonyms of indebtednessnext
1
: the condition of being indebted
2
: something (such as an amount of money) that is owed

Synonyms of indebtedness

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Examples of indebtedness in a Sentence

his total indebtedness exceeded a year's income
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the world’s two biggest economies have been diverging in key ways with implications for future growth and indebtedness. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 Wall Street has expressed concerns about the company’s indebtedness — and taming its debt obligations will be a sizable chore for Ellison and his team. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 The crackdown ​reflects ⁠growing concern within the government that rising spending on gambling has drained household budgets and contributed to record levels of indebtedness. — Reuters, NBC news, 26 Sep. 2026 The lack of access to institutional credit and chronic indebtedness is also seen by some researchers as a contributing factor to the phenomenon of farmer suicides in rural India. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indebtedness

Word History

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of indebtedness was in 1647

Browse Nearby Words

indebted
indebtedness
indebtment
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Cite this Entry

“Indebtedness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indebtedness. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

indebtedness

noun
in·​debt·​ed·​ness
1
: the condition of being indebted
2
: something that is owed
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