1
: the state of being behind in the discharge of obligations
—usually used in plural
They were in arrears with the rent. [=they had failed to pay the rent when it was due]
2
a
: an unfinished duty
—usually used in plural
arrears of work that have piled up
b
: an unpaid and overdue debt
—usually used in plural
paying off the arrears of the past several months
Synonyms
Examples of arrear in a Sentence
since it lost the discrimination lawsuit, the employer will have to pay the worker all arrears in salary
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, the Leeds Building Society's work includes a simple, digital application process for borrowers seeking assistance as part of the U.K.’s Mortgage Charter initiative, and suspending arrears fees until at least January 2025.
—
Ian Wilding, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
The ruling Palestinian Authority has been pushed to the brink of outright financial collapse; a June analysis by the International Crisis Group found that its debt to commercial banks and its arrears to its own pension fund has mounted to as much as $11 billion.
—Karen E. Young, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2024
Several months in arrears, Leslie and Adam had a confrontation in the lobby of the music shop.
—Dan Koeppel, Outside Online, 5 Sep. 2019
That followed a review from former Financial Conduct Authority boss Christopher Woolard, which found more than one in 10 BNPL customers were in arrears.
—Ryan Browne, CNBC, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for arrear 
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Ian Wilding, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024
The ruling Palestinian Authority has been pushed to the brink of outright financial collapse; a June analysis by the International Crisis Group found that its debt to commercial banks and its arrears to its own pension fund has mounted to as much as $11 billion.
—Karen E. Young, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2024
Several months in arrears, Leslie and Adam had a confrontation in the lobby of the music shop.
—Dan Koeppel, Outside Online, 5 Sep. 2019
That followed a review from former Financial Conduct Authority boss Christopher Woolard, which found more than one in 10 BNPL customers were in arrears.
—Ryan Browne, CNBC, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for arrear
Dictionary Entries Near arrear
Cite this Entry
“Arrear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrear. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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arrear
noun
ar·rear
ə-ˈrir 
1
a
: the condition of being behind in one's duties or especially financial obligations
—usually used in pl.
in arrears with the rent
b
: the condition of being due at the end of a term rather than the beginning
—usually used in pl.
mortgage payments are made in arrears
2
: an unpaid and overdue debt
—usually used in pl.
paying off the arrears of the previous owners
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