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Definitions

in arrears

ADJECTIVE
due
Synonyms
STRONGEST
expected outstanding overdue owed payable scheduled
STRONG
IOU collectible
WEAK
chargeable mature not met receivable to be paid unliquidated unsatisfied unsettled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
paid settled
ADJECTIVE
in the red
Synonyms
WEAK
at a loss bankrupt behindhand defaulting delinquent in debt in dire straits in hock in the hole insolvent losing money nonpaying to the bad unprofitably
Antonyms
WEAK
in the black
ADJECTIVE
owed
Synonyms
STRONGEST
overdue payable unpaid unsettled
STRONG
expected mature owing scheduled
WEAK
IOU chargeable collectible not met outstanding receivable to be paid unliquidated unsatisfied
Antonyms
STRONGEST
paid settled
ADJECTIVE
receivable
Synonyms
WEAK
IOU chargeable collectible expected mature not met outstanding overdue owed owing payable scheduled to be paid unliquidated unpaid unsatisfied unsettled
ADJECTIVE
unpaid
Synonyms
STRONGEST
delinquent outstanding overdue
WEAK
due mature not discharged owing past due payable undefrayed unliquidated unsettled
Antonyms
STRONGEST
paid
WEAK
settled
ADJECTIVE
unsettled
Synonyms
STRONGEST
clouded problematic uncertain unclear undetermined unresolved
STRONG
moot open owing waffling
WEAK
betwixt and between debatable doubtful dubious dubitable due immature outstanding overdue payable pendent pending undecided unfixed unpaid up for grabs
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain clear definite determined settled sure
STRONG
decided resolved
WEAK
calmed content happy
ADVERB
behind
Synonyms
STRONG
in debt late slow
WEAK
backward behind schedule behind time behindhand belated delayed dilatory have to play catch up overdue sluggish tardy
Antonyms
STRONG
paid paid up

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.

In Canada, a mortgage is considered in arrears when payments are overdue by 90 days.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026

Tariffs are paid a month in arrears, meaning the Supreme Court’s decision will likely affect March’s tariff revenue.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Inflation also undermines the value of Social Security payments, because the annual cost-of-living adjustments come a year in arrears.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 16, 2026

Last year, Reynolds helped defuse a crisis when dozens of veterans living on the West Los Angeles campus fell in arrears and received eviction notices.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2025

The pews were decrepit, the bills were once so in arrears the electricity was nearly turned off, and the padre hadn’t installed air-conditioning, despite summer temperatures that reach 120 degrees.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario