highly indebted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly indebted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has a significant amount of debt. Example: "The company is highly indebted, struggling to meet its financial obligations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But many Caribbean nations are highly indebted.

The Economist

Yet banks remain highly indebted and highly interconnected.

The New Yorker

Highly indebted banks and firms were to be closed.

The Economist

Now the highly indebted are the developed markets".

The New York Times

Leaders of highly indebted countries need to watch them closely.

The New York Times

Hungary, a highly indebted country, will pony up the rest.

The Economist

That deal made Deutsche Telekom one of the most highly indebted telephone companies in Europe.

The New York Times

If a lot of people are highly indebted, that could tip the economy into recession.

The Guardian

Many developing countries are highly indebted and also vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The Guardian

Nor could it easily borrow: compared with its peers, the firm is already highly indebted.

The Economist

Investors are closely watching some of the more highly indebted countries with struggling economies in Europe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company or country as "highly indebted", provide context about the potential consequences or mitigating factors. For example, mention any plans for debt reduction or the impact on economic growth.

Common error

Avoid using "highly indebted" when referring to minor debts or temporary financial difficulties. The phrase implies a significant and persistent level of indebtedness that poses a risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly indebted" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It describes the state of a noun (country, company, individual) as having a substantial amount of debt. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is used to provide context about financial status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "highly indebted" is a frequently used and grammatically sound adjective phrase used to describe entities with a substantial amount of debt. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage spans across diverse contexts, from News & Media to Science and Formal & Business, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. While alternatives like "deeply in debt" or "heavily indebted" exist, "highly indebted" provides a clear and concise way to convey the severity of financial obligations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply in debt

Emphasizes the severity of the debt.

heavily indebted

A direct synonym, stressing the weight of the debt.

significantly leveraged

Focuses on the use of borrowed capital.

overextended financially

Highlights the precarious financial situation.

burdened with debt

Emphasizes the negative impact of the debt.

owing a large sum

A more literal description of the debt situation.

financially strapped

Indicates a lack of financial resources due to debt.

under a mountain of debt

Uses a metaphor to describe the overwhelming debt.

in financial arrears

A formal term for being behind on payments.

facing insolvency

Indicates a risk of being unable to pay debts.

FAQs

How can I use "highly indebted" in a sentence?

You can use "highly indebted" to describe countries, companies, or individuals with significant debt, as in "The country is "highly indebted" and struggling to repay its loans".

What are some alternatives to saying "highly indebted"?

Alternatives include "deeply in debt", "heavily indebted", or "significantly leveraged" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "highly indebted" or "heavily indebted"?

Both "highly indebted" and "heavily indebted" are acceptable and largely interchangeable. The choice depends on stylistic preference.

What are the implications of being "highly indebted" for a country?

A "highly indebted" country may face difficulties in funding public services, attracting investment, and achieving sustainable economic growth. It may also be more vulnerable to economic shocks.