indebted

[ in-det-id ]

adjective

1. committed or obligated to repay a monetary loan:

   He was indebted to his friend for a large sum.

   Synonyms: bound

2. obligated for favors or kindness received:

   He was indebted to her for nursing him through pneumonia.

   Synonyms: grateful, beholden

indebted

/ ɪnˈdɛtɪd /

adjective

1. owing gratitude for help, favours, etc; obligated
2. owing money

Other Words From

• prein·debted adjective
• prein·debted·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of indebted¹

1175–1225; in- ² + debt + -ed ²; replacing Middle English endetted < Old French endetté, past participle of endetter to involve in debt ( en- ¹ )

Example Sentences

To offer a free TurboTax-like service for bankruptcy to indebted Americans.

From Ozy

Still, the comprehensive debt numbers provide a useful measure of America’s rise in the ranks of most heavily indebted nations.

From Fortune

In the short term, much will depend on whether lawmakers pass measures to help indebted renters make back payments.

From Time

This week, government ministers of poor and indebted nations will appeal to their creditors for a much more ambitious debt relief effort as they grapple with the health care and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

From Ozy

AT&T became the most indebted nonfinancial company in America.

From Fortune

Many legendary Shakespearean thespians have been indebted to drink.

From The Daily Beast

In making the Black Paintings, Reinhardt may have been as indebted to Duchamp as to Malevich and Barnett Newman.

From The Daily Beast

The Western literary tradition is indebted to the disaster caused by a bad guest.

From The Daily Beast

His voice caught the attention of everyone around him, including one fellow Palestinian, to whom Assaf will forever be indebted.

From The Daily Beast

Zonen got Robson to admit he was forever indebted to Jackson for helping make his career in Hollywood.

From The Daily Beast

He was already deeply indebted to his wife; not one of his three partners had proved to be such as he expected and required.

From Project Gutenberg

He conspired against Richelieu, to whom he was indebted for much of his good fortune, and to whose resentment he fell a victim.

From Project Gutenberg

You are very kind, sir,” he said; “my companions and I shall feel deeply indebted to you for this opportune assistance.

From Project Gutenberg

Singularly courteous and obliging on all occasions, I, personally, have been much indebted to him for help and advice.

From Project Gutenberg

The public are indebted to him for the invention of the high-pressure steam-engine and the first railway steam-carriage.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• appreciative
• beholden
• duty-bound
• grateful
• obligated
• obliged
• thankful