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Synonyms

indebtedness

American  
[in-det-id-nis] / ɪnˈdɛt ɪd nɪs /

noun

  1. the state of being indebted.

  2. an amount owed.

  3. debts collectively.


indebtedness British  
/ ɪnˈdɛtɪdnɪs /

noun

  1. the state of being indebted

  2. the total of a person's debts

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of indebtedness

First recorded in 1640–50; indebted + -ness

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:

In its IPO filing, SpaceX warned that its “substantial level of indebtedness could materially” negatively impact its finances and make it more vulnerable to poor economic conditions.

From MarketWatch Jun. 23, 2026

"Excessive indebtedness threatens sovereignty and limits the capacity to act," said Merz, whose comments were likely also directed to a domestic political audience.

From Barron's May 14, 2026

GameStop’s earnings report warns that it has “incurred substantial indebtedness that may decrease our business flexibility” and “we may still incur substantially more debt, which may adversely affect our operations and financial results.”

From The Wall Street Journal May 4, 2026

He’s doing it for the boys, but also for himself and a need to reconcile his past, both his indebtedness to the place, and the painful memories it stirs.

From Los Angeles Times Nov. 6, 2025

Beyond that, all of them felt a certain amount of moral indebtedness to the bank since it had helped them make their fortunes.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

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