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Insolvent

Unable to pay debts; financially insolvent

adjective

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Imagine This

The man who could not dissolve his company was forced to declare bankruptcy so that he could start a new life all over again on a clean slate.

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Sounds Like

in-SOL-vənt

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Looks Like

in-solvent (not solvent)

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Remember This

Remember that 'solvent' means having enough assets to pay all debts; 'insolvent' is the opposite. Insolvency is the state of being unable to pay debts.

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Other Forms

insolvencynoun

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Connect With

solvent, bankruptcy, insolvency, debt, creditor, liquidation

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Note

Avoid confusing 'insolvent' with merely being in debt temporarily; insolvency implies a sustained inability to meet obligations and often leads to bankruptcy or liquidation.

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Study Deeper

Examples

The company became insolvent after several years of losses and was forced to declare bankruptcy.
Small firms can become insolvent if they cannot cover operating costs with incoming revenue.

Synonyms

bankruptbrokeruineddestitutepenniless

Antonyms

solventprosperousfinancially stable

Etymology

From Late Latin insolvens, from in- 'not' + solvens 'paying' (from solvere 'to loosen, to pay').

Mnemonic

IN SOLVent: IN means not; SOLVent means paying money. Remember: if you are IN SOLVent, you are not paying your debts—insolvent.