Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

day of reckoning

American  

noun

  1. the time when one is called to account for one's actions, to pay one's debts, or to fulfill one's promises or obligations.

day of reckoning British  

noun

  1. a time when the effects of one's past mistakes or misdeeds catch up with one

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

See Examples For:

But the longer the good times roll, the more remote the day of reckoning feels.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

The memory chip shortage day of reckoning is upon us.

From Barron's ● Jun. 1, 2026

On Tuesday, that day of reckoning may arrive.

From BBC ● May 18, 2026

Let’s hope that April 12 will prove to be a day of reckoning.

From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2026

She said, “The day of reckoning has arrived. The hour is close at hand. We must leave immediately.”

From "Louisiana's Way Home" by Kate DiCamillo

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training