What is the word for failing to pay debt?

Asked by: Cale Wolff II  |  Last update: June 20, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (47 votes)

The most common term for failing to pay a debt according to the agreed-upon terms is default.

What is another word for unpaid debt?

Arrears. Arrears is a debt or payment that is not paid by the due date. It is another term for missed payments.

What is the term for not paying debts?

insolvency. Generally speaking, insolvency refers to situations where a debtor cannot pay the debts they owe. For instance, a troubled company may become insolvent when it is unable to repay its creditors money owed on time, often leading to a bankruptcy filing.

What is a word for overdue debt?

arrears balance due indebtedness liability obligation outstanding debt unpaid bill.

What is failure to repay debt called?

Default is failure to repay a loan according to the terms agreed to in the promissory note. For most federal student loans, you will default if you have not made a payment in more than 270 days. You may experience serious legal consequences if you default.

America Isn’t Paying Its Debt — It’s Erasing It

42 related questions found

What is a word for overdue or still owed?

belated delinquent outstanding tardy unpaid. WEAK. behind time behindhand due held up hung up jammed long-delayed mature not punctual owing payable unpunctual unsettled.

What is the slang for not paying a bill?

Deadbeats don't pay their bills. This is an insult that is very specific: deadbeats don't pay what they owe. If someone went to a restaurant and didn't pay, the manager might say "You deadbeat!" If you don't pay a cable or phone bill, you're a deadbeat. A roommate who doesn't pay their share of the rent is a deadbeat.

What is a person unable to pay their debts called?

Bankrupt is used for a person who is unable to repay his/her debts. We observe that the meaning of bankrupt matches the description in the given sentence.

What's another word for financial distress?

Also called economic burden, economic hardship, financial distress, financial hardship, financial stress, and financial toxicity.

What can I say instead of I'm broke?

Alternatively, you could say "I am not in a good position financially" or "I am not very comfortable financially".

What's a stronger word for struggle?

hard try; fight to win. attempt battle clash combat conflict contest effort encounter endeavor skirmish strife trial work. STRONG.

How do you say "unable to pay"?

Synonyms

  1. insolvent.
  2. incapable of discharging liabilities.
  3. penniless.
  4. impecunious.
  5. unable to satisfy creditors.
  6. short of money.
  7. destitute.
  8. ruined.

What are unpaid bills called?

arrears balance due indebtedness liability obligation outstanding debt unpaid debt. NOUN. arrears.

What is the synonym of indebtedness?

Definitions of indebtedness. noun. an obligation to pay money to another party. synonyms: financial obligation, liability.

What is a softer word for failure?

lack of success. bankruptcy breakdown collapse decline defeat deficiency deterioration failing loss misstep.

What is a fancy word for paying off debt?

synonyms: compensate, make up, pay. settle. dispose of; make a financial settlement. verb.

What is a word for extremely outstanding?

superior, excellent. distinguished dominant eminent excellent exceptional famous great important impressive magnificent phenomenal preeminent special stellar superior superlative well-known.

What is the word for unable to pay debt?

Insolvency. In accounting, insolvency is the state of being unable to pay the debts, by a person or company (debtor), at maturity; those in a state of insolvency are said to be insolvent.