in·sol·vent
(ˌ)in-ˈsäl-vənt 
-ˈsȯl-
1
a
: unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business
b
: having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held
2
: insufficient to pay all debts
an insolvent estate
plural insolvents
: an insolvent debtor : a person or entity that is unable to pay debts as they fall due
The country's newspapers regularly published legal notices that announced private assignments for the benefit of creditors, the attachments by creditors against the property of absconding debtors, and court-mandated auctions of assets owned by insolvents.—
Edward J. Balleisen
Edward J. BalleisenExamples of insolvent in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebThe Editors, National Review, 8 May 2024
When this number goes into the red, banks are technically insolvent.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for insolvent 
Adjective
The fact that the slower-growing portion of Medicare will nonetheless be insolvent by 2036 should still be alarming.
—The Editors, National Review, 8 May 2024
When this number goes into the red, banks are technically insolvent.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for insolvent
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insolvent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Insolvent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insolvent. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insolvent
adjective
in·sol·vent
(ˈ)in-ˈsäl-vənt
: not having or providing enough money to pay debts
an insolvent company
Legal Definition
insolvent
adjective
in·sol·vent
in-ˈsäl-vənt
1
: having ceased paying or unable to pay debts as they fall due in the usual course of business compare bankrupt
2
: having liabilities in excess of a reasonable market value of assets held
3
: insufficient to pay all debts
an insolvent estate
insolvent
noun
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